WOOF ISSUE 30 // FALL 2020
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SECTION TITLE
WOOF MAGAZINE PRESIDENT
Jasmine Chan
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Lauren DeSousa & Sofia Ciprian
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cheyenne Tang
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB EDITOR Mica Tonge
SECTION EDITORS
Aashka Pandya, Amy Oh, Kaline Langley
HEAD COPY EDITOR Hayleigh Evans
COPY EDITORS
Sharon Yan, Annie Probert
WRITERS
Cheyenne Tang, Sarah Yi, Michela Redington, Sanjana Dave, Melissa Wells, Jasmine Chan, Sofia Ciprian, Sharon Yan
DESIGNERS
Ellie Johnson, Amy Oh, Diana Steelman, Madeline Ingrum, Victoria Crabb
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cheyenne Tang Cover Photography from Rooted Living
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Hey readers, I think we all deserve a huge congratulations for getting through this semester! With all the change and stress we’ve gone through amidst the pandemic, we hope this issue of Woof can be a source of solace and escape for you all. Personally, being able to write and edit the articles for this issue has definitely provided a sense of normalcy for us. That being said, adjusting to a fully virtual Woof community has been a difficult change. It’s hard to maintain community when we can’t even be with our Woof team in person. We definitely felt the lasting impacts of losing that physical sense of connection, but we were still able to find new, innovative ways to stay close within our Woof community. Whether through Zoom “Show and Tell” calls or brainstorming design and writing ideas together, we found opportunities to stay in touch. We were able to put together a fantastic issue that speaks to some of the problems that have been most relevant to us during this pandemic, as well as outlets that have brought us joy and entertainment. We hope these articles connect to you as much as they do to us. As always, thanks for reading and being a part of our community! Your Editors-in-Chief, Sofia Ciprian and Lauren DeSousa
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CONTENTS FRONT
MEDIA & CULTURE
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Highlighting NEU Student Ventures: Rooted Living
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Best & Worst Netflix Originals
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Finding Joy in a Pandemic
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I Tried Working Out with the Five Most Popular YouTube Fitness Channels
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COVID-Friendly Reccs for Cold Weather
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Changing Trends: Body Positivity on TikTok
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Instagram Gets a New Filter: Social Justice
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It’s Time to Cancel Cancel Culture
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The Impact of What You Wear
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highlighting NEU student ventures: rooted living with rachel domb
WRITTEN BY SANJANA DAVE // ILLUSTRATED BY VICTORIA CRABB
Northeastern University is driven by the entrepreneurial spirit of its students. The first business we’re highlighting is Rooted Living by Rachel Domb, a second year Psychology major and environmental studies minor. Rooted Living is a mission-driven, ecofriendly snack company that addresses the lack of availability of environmentally friendly and healthy snacks.
As a competitive runner in high school, Rachel always needed fuel for her active lifestyle, but she cared deeply about what she put in her body. Many of the existing snack options were branded as healthy, but they were still packed with refined sugars and wrapped in single-use plastic. This inspired Rachel to tap into her love for cooking and begin making her own snacks, which she would bring to track meets in compostable bags. Her teammates fell in love with Rachel’s snacks, and from there Rooted Living’s initial product line was born. Rooted Living’s mission is to provide healthy, sustainable snacks that improve the health of the planet and the consumer. Rooted Living snacks do not contain unhealthy and impossible to pronounce ingredients or refined sugars. Notably, the company does not use single-use plastic packaging for any of their products.
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For Rachel, establishing Rooted Living has been an empowering journey. Starting her business helped Rachel realize that if she put her mind to it, she already possessed all of the tools she needed to make her vision a reality. Rachel believes that getting started is the hardest part. She credits Northeastern University’s Women’s Interdisciplinary Society of Entrepreneurship (WISE) organization as “life-changing.” Through WeBuild, a WISE thought incubator program for members’ passion projects, Rachel found an invaluable community and the support she needed to begin molding Rooted Living into a real company. The most challenging aspect was knowing where to start—there is no single guidebook that works for all businesses. However, after many hours spent researching how to start a business and guidance from WISE’s WeBuild program, Rachel launched Rooted Living. Rachel is also
FRONT every little victory and to see their age as an advantage—it sets them apart and gives them room to pivot if necessary. They should also understand that everyone is on their own path: they should not compare their step one to someone else’s step ten. And lastly, if not now, then when?
grateful for Northeastern’s entrepreneurial ecosystem; NU’s Scout, Northeastern’s student-led design studio, is designing Rooted Living’s brand packaging, logo, and e-commerce website. IDEA, NU’s venture accelerator, has provided critical funding. Rachel understands firsthand how overwhelming it can be to launch your own business, especially while juggling school and co-ops, but she is confident that anyone can do it if they have a clear vision and dedicated mindset. She offered some advice to other students who are considering starting a business. Firstly, Rachel stated that “your personal story must be integrated into your brand messaging.” For Rachel, this included her passions for health, cooking, and sustainability. Rachel also says that building your professional network is essential. According to Rachel, entrepreneurs “gain something from every single connection they make.”
Develop the confidence to reach out to people—most people want to support small businesses! If someone is struggling to find their passion, Rachel recommends finding mentors who inspire you. Some of Rachel’s biggest supporters were Eliana and Mia (the founders of WISE), Johnny Fayad (Eat Your Coffee), and Sophie Gechijian (F(x) foods). She is also grateful to many other people who have helped Rooted Living along the way. Rachel encourages younger entrepreneurs to celebrate
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Rooted Living launches in late January or early February, featuring two granola flavors with no refined sugars or single-use plastic packaging. In the future, Rooted Living plans to extend its line to protein balls, energy balls, and easily customizable options that are convenient for anyone on the go. Rachel is an incredibly dedicated and inspiring entrepreneur, and I highly recommend supporting Rooted Living! Instagram: @rooted_living_
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Finding Joy in a Pandemic WRITTEN BY MELISSA WELLS // PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHEYENNE TANG
Fear. Panic. Anxiety. Hopelessness. Stress. Denial. Is this really happening? Can it happen to me? brave enough to be vulnerable and genuine about their feelings, whether surrounding the polarized political climate or fears concerning the pandemic. For those feeling the impact on their mental health, it may be helpful to schedule more frequent checkups with medical professionals. Another anxiety-relieving method is simply creating mantras that you can repeat or write down to build you up throughout the day. For example: “You are alive. You are surviving. You are breathing.” Mantra meditation is used as a medium to override and redirect negative or intrusive thoughts that perpetuate psychological distress by continually repeating a specific word or phrase (silently or aloud). Even if you take five minutes to move your body through meditation, practicing yoga, or engaging in exercises that activate your lymphatic system and promote drainage —— this will encourage more effective flow and bolsters your immune system against potential infections.
By early 2020, the novel coronavirus was not of concern in America, despite the waves of outbreaks originating from China and sweeping through Europe. Then it hit a Washington state nursing home on January 20. By April, there was not one state in the U.S. that hadn’t reported at least one case. As the pandemic continues to ebb and flow unpredictably, many find themselves feeling “end of the world” blues. In some ways, we are grieving a way of life. Mourning and healing from so much tragedy is a day-by-day process with no expiration date. This season of life, like any other, is transient.
A Cornell University study from earlier this year shone light on the subject of how nature impacts
With the restless energy and worry this free time has given us, there are many outlets that can bring you happiness during the pandemic. This article aims to provide suggestions to help you continue soldiering through this difficult period. It can be something as simple as unscheduled, quiet time. It can also just mean more serious check-ins between friends where someone is
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FRONT stress, concluding that as little as 10 minutes in a natural setting stimulates serotonin and lessens the effects of both physical and mental stress. There is something about being outside and taking meditative deep breaths that is cleansing, or standing barefoot where you can feel the texture of what is underneath your feet that is grounding. Watching the
This conversation should not have been warranted simply because of the global pandemic we find ourselves in but is necessary nonetheless. The best outlet that will never fail to bring you joy is yourself. Even if you have not discovered your purpose or been inspired to fill this standstill of time with productivity, the important part is that you kept going through each day. The U.S. is a productivity-obsessed, emotion-phobic culture that blames individuals for being anything but hyper-productive and relentlessly optimistic. This cultural narrative is so pervasive that we cannot even recognize the high standards we set for ourselves for what they really are: unrealistic and unnecessary.
sun rise is another irrevocable reminder that it will do so again.
So be gentle with yourself. Do not bottle up the many emotions that come with such unprecedented circumstances. In the same way, tuck the beautiful memories inside for safekeeping, to revisit when the foundation you are standing on begins to shake once more. Most importantly, remind yourself of the happiness that awaits you: in the art you want to create, the people you are destined to meet, the places waiting for you to visit. Whether you have been directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19, this is a reminder that the storm will pass, wounds will heal, and you will survive.
In addition to providing guidance on the infectious spread of COVID-19, the CDC included important suggestions to help cope, acknowledging that it is understandable to see higher levels of stress. They encourage taking care of your emotional health as you would in any disaster — for your own wellbeing as well as your family and friends. Taking care of your emotional health also means nourishing your body with healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and an established sleep routine. These habits not only provide outlets to funnel energy into but also bolster the immune system against infection.
As Mary Oliver wrote, “Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?� As much as possible.
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COVID-friendly reccs for cold weather WRITTEN BY SHARON YAN // ILLUSTRATED BY DIANA STEELMAN
With colder weather approaching, it will be easy to just stay indoors this winter and cuddle up with your favorite book or movie. But that gets repetitive and soon you’ll crave a breath of fresh air and the chance to go out and explore. Here are few suggestions for COVIDfriendly activities this season, so grab your roommate and go try something new! First, the Boston Public Market is a year-round indoor market open every week from Wednesday to Saturday, offering an assortment of foods, meals, crafts, and specialty items. Everything sold here is produced in New England, making it the perfect place to taste test local flavors and seasonal offerings. This location is a great
way to support small vendors and local businesses. Stay up to date with their announcements and updates via their Instagram account @bostonpublicmarket. The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is a great way to relax and immerse yourself in art. The unique waterfront museum offers scenic views of Seaport and currently hosts three main exhibition rooms with five upcoming rooms in later months. The museum is free of charge for Northeastern students who show their Husky ID as well. The ICA guarantees that only spaces that allow for physical distancing are open right now, making it an ideal indoor activity as the weather cools down. If you’re into shoes and sportswear, Bodega is a high-end clothing store disguised as a convenience shop from the outside. It offers footwear,
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apparel, and accessories from top brands and is currently open to visitors by appointment only in order to practice social distancing. Stop by 6 Clearway Street and try to spot this hypermarket through its hidden entrance! Another museum that is a mustvisit for Northeastern students is the Museum of Fine Arts, or the MFA. Located just a five to 10 minute walk from campus, this museum is comprised of over 450,000 works of art and offers free admission to Northeastern students. Its newest exhibition features Basquiat, a graffiti artist who was instrumental in transitioning street art into contemporary canvas art. Besides Basquiat, the MFA currently features five other incredible exhibitions that are ready for you to explore!
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If you’re in a shopping mood, check out the boutiques on Charles Street in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. These independently-owned shops consist of indie and antique goods that are sure to capture your attention. The charming brownstone buildings and cobblestone paths make every corner photographable, and these small storefronts are the perfect place for both locals and visitors to indulge. Coolidge Corner Theater is also offering virtual film screenings as they work on reopening. You can rent movies online or attend their online film seminars alongside noted film critics for an educational experience. They even offer lectures and discussions to provide entertainment and engagement from the comfort of your own home.
aquarium’s four-story Giant Ocean Tank that houses a diversity of reef animals like sea turtles, stingrays, eels, and fishes? Or take a visit to the sharks, octopus, penguins, and seals in other exhibits. For a break, the Simons Theatre plays short films on Saturday and Sunday about aquatic life and offers digital surround sound for an immersive experience. So what are you waiting for? Don’t let the weather stop you from exploring the city, and take advantage of all the indoor activities Boston has to offer — socially distanced of course!
The New England Aquarium is another exciting place to observe thousands of aquatic animals. With plenty of safety protocols in place and an indoor setting, why not go out and explore the
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MEDIA & CULTURE
BEST & WORST NETFLIX ORIGINALS
WRITTEN BY SANJANA DAVE // ILLUSTRATED BY VICTORIA CRABB Over the past seven years, Netflix has ramped up its in-house production of original TV series and movies, creating over 1,500 titles. But while some originals have been met with critical acclaim and pushed boundaries in their respective genres, titles with offensive and problematic content are not uncommon. The immense difference between the best and worst Netflix originals is staggering. Whether it be differences in quality of plot lines, character development, or acting, it sometimes seems unbelievable that two titles were both produced by Netflix.
BEST NETFLIX ORIGINALS
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THE SOCIETY Rating: 9/10
“The Society” follows an eclectic group of high school students who come back from a school trip to find that everyone in their town—both adults and children—has disappeared with no explanation. In the resulting chaos, the students struggle to find a leader, allocate resources, and figure out what happened to everyone they know. With Lord of the Flies vibes, realistic characters, and shocking plot
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twists, the Society is easily bingeable but hard to forget. “The Society” is not afraid to take risks with its characters, and it definitely pays off for the viewers. Every time you think you’ve figured it out, the show will smack you with another twist. But despite being a surprisingly well-developed teen drama, the Society season 2 was cancelled by Netflix—just as viewers eagerly awaited an answer to season 1’s massive cliffhanger.
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ATYPICAL
Rating: 9/10
“Atypical” is truly one of the most underrated shows right now. The show centers around Sam, who is a gifted artist obsessed with penguins, and his journey navigating college and the dating scene as a teen on the autism spectrum. It’s a feel-good comedy with a quirky ensemble of characters whose mistakes can frustrate viewers because they’re just too relatable. “Atypical” doesn’t play into the assumption that all autistic people are the same, and it doesn’t belittle Sam’s journey. With real, raw acting, it’s easy to become attached to not only Sam, but also his band of family and friends on the show. “Atypical” also has refreshing LGBTQ+ representation that feels natural and not at all forced.
MEDIA & CULTURE
WORST NETFLIX ORIGINALS
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CUTIES
Rating: 0/10
“Cuties”, a French coming-of-age film, sparked a wave of controversy before it even premiered on Netflix. The film follows an 11-year-old girl named Amy who forms a dance troupe for competitive twerking. Marketing materials for “Cuties” depicted the pre-teens in very suggestive posing, and initially led to a wave of Netflix subscription cancellations. While director Doucoure may claim that the film is “starting a debate about the sexualization of children’s bodies,” the sexualization of children, and particularly that of young black girls, should never be a ‘debate’ or up for question in any manner. The film is fodder for predators, whether this was the original intent or not.
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that she’s unrecognizable and now accepted into her high school’s ‘popular’ clique. Inherently, “Insatiable” promotes the message that Patty’s problems can be solved by losing weight — she’ll be more attractive, she’ll have more friends, she’ll have more guys interested in her, she’ll be happier. That’s not only inaccurate, but also a genuinely dangerous message to be spreading to anyone, particularly young women who watched “Insatiable” and recognized Debby Ryan from the childhood classic show “Jessie”. But not only is ‘Insatiable” problematic, the writing and acting also resemble that of 12-year-olds on TikTok. Pick a struggle. Insatiable is a disgustingly toxic package incorrectly labeled as ‘female empowerment.’ Netflix is undoubtedly a behemoth in the entertainment industry with over 192 million worldwide subscribers. With such a wide reach—and the ability to influence global media trends—Netflix has the responsibility to use its platform to promote all the values we’d like to see more of in the world like compassion and empathy. At the very least it should avoid producing lackluster, problematic content as a blatant cash grab. Instead of throwing money at low-level production, Netflix could be pumping their cash into promoting the underrated, high-quality originals that many viewers felt they had never even known about.
INSATIABLE Rating: 1/10
Problematic is an understatement when describing “Insatiable”. Patty, the stereotypical overweight, unpopular high school girl, loses weight after a traumatic injury where her jaw needed to be wired shut. The next school year, she comes back to find
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MEDIA & CULTURE
I TRIED WORKING OUT WITH THE
Five Most Popular YouTube Fitness Channels WRITTEN BY JASMINE CHAN // ILLUSTRATED BY DIANA STEELMAN If you’re like me, your biggest excuse for not exercising is lack of time. When COVID-19 hit, we had an abundance of free time, but all the studios and gyms were closed. The solution? At-home workout videos on YouTube! Over the past couple of months, I have seen a major transformation in my body and energy by pairing diet changes with a consistent exercise routine that I can do for free from the safety of my own home. There is a lot of content out there, and it can be intimidating when trying to find where to start, so I wanted to share my thoughts on five of the most popular at-home workout channels on YouTube. The #ChloeTingChallenge trending on Tik Tok is what first turned my attention to YouTube for workout videos. She is best known for her “Get Abs in 2 WEEKS | Abs Workout Challenge” video that has over 243 million views. While I didn’t work out with this video for the full 14 days, I tried it a couple of times along with some of her other videos. I think she is easy to follow, and I like that she provides a preview of the next exercise during rest periods so you know what’s coming next. Similar to most other fitness channels, Chloe Ting’s videos feature a timer that tells you how long to do each exercise. Her audio is a voiceover, so it feels a little impersonal rather than feeling like she is working out with you. Framing exercise as time-boxed challenges does not promote sustainable healthy living, and misleading video titles like “Tiny Waist and Round Butt Workout” create unrealistic expectations that focus on specific aesthetics rather than staying active and getting stronger. Fat burn is a whole-body process and the majority of scientific studies have shown that it is not possible to target fat reduction in one area by exercising that body part alone. While you may see some results depending on where you are starting from, most people will not achieve a six-pack from following her “Abs Workout Challenge” for two weeks alone. Not many people know that Chloe’s free programs on her website group together sets of her videos for a well-rounded routine each day, as well as meal prep recipe videos on her channel. These can be utilized to develop healthy lifestyle habits, rather than the quick-fix style videos that she is known for.
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Bottom line: I do not use Chloe Ting videos because her marketing practices just don’t sit right with me, but if you are motivated by challenges and don’t mind that you won’t exactly get what is promised from a video title, then Chloe Ting is for you! Pamela Reif is a German model that started on Instagram before moving to YouTube. In a few of her videos that I tried, Pamela jumps immediately into her exercises without an introduction. There is no explanation of the exercises throughout the workout beyond the name on the screen and her demonstration, so it may be difficult to follow along if it’s your first time using a particular video or you are unfamiliar with exercise terminology. You actually don’t hear her voice at all throughout the video, so there are no words of encouragement or tips on how to execute the moves properly and effectively, which I find makes the workout boring and her channel lack personality. Not being able to hear her breathing or any sound from her makes me feel alone in the struggle. There are no rest periods built into the routines, and I found that the exercises themselves are organized in a way that repeatedly works the same muscle groups (i.e. multiple plank variations one after another), which can be hard to keep up with until you build up the strength needed. Although she does have some videos geared towards beginners, most of her videos are not accessible for everybody. She does post-workout plans on her Instagram highlights and has dance workout videos if you are looking for a way to make cardio fun! Bottom line: If you only want to listen to music while you work out and aren’t self-conscious about having to pause the video while your instructor never breaks a sweat, then Pamela Reif is for you! PopSugar Fitness is a sub-brand of the lifestyle and pop culture focused media company, PopSugar. This channel has guest fitness instructors lead a variety of classes, from yoga to kickboxing and HIIT workouts. The videos are longer (30 - 40 minutes) and usually include a warm-up and cool-down. Most of the videos include two demonstrators in addition to the
MEDIA & CULTURE instructor, one demonstrator to follow for the beginner modifications and the other for the advanced version of the workout, so there is something for everyone! This channel is highly produced and feels like it is targeted towards an older audience, as it reminds me of the DVDs my mom used to use when I was a kid. My biggest problem, which is probably a problem for most Northeastern students, is that PopSugar Fitness doesn’t have any apartment-friendly options like the other channels do, so I could only use these videos when I was quarantining at my parent’s house. Bottom line: If you like variety in your workouts and don’t have downstairs neighbors, then PopSugar Fitness is for you! Blogilates was created by certified Pilates instructor Cassey Ho back in 2009. Cassey brings a lot of energy and professionalism to her videos to give you an easy-to-follow experience similar to attending a group fitness class with your favorite instructor. She is a true businesswoman that churns out content on her website, like printable workout calendars, personal blog posts, and recipes. She even has an app, Body by Blogilates. What I love about Ho is that she speaks openly about her own struggles with body image and the criticism she receives as a public figure. In 2019, she announced she was going on a 90-day weight loss journey that started a divisive conversation about body positivity and fitness goals. She addresses the backlash in her video titled “How I lost 17.5 pounds in 12 Weeks | My 90 Day Journey” to clarify, “I didn’t go on this journey because I hated my body. I went on this journey because I love my body so much that I wanted to dedicate time towards improving myself, mentally and physically.” Her channel promotes a mindful approach to fitness that is about health, happiness, and confidence. Bottom line: If you love high energy group workout instructors and are interested in fitness content that isn’t just about the exercises, Blogilates is for you! An alternative title for this article could be “What is the best YouTube fitness channel and why is it MadFit?” Although Maddie Lymburner doesn’t have any official teaching credentials, she has a dance background and it shows through the types of exercises she chooses and the strength and control exhibited while she works out with you. She demonstrates each exercise, either during the rest periods or before the workout begins, and she focuses on technique to make sure you are doing each exercise effectively and safely. I love her apartment-friendly HIIT videos because she uses exercises that combine multiple movements for a tough, full-body workout without jumping. This
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approach differs from other channels that propose low impact alternatives that sometimes barely get my heart rate up. She is soft-spoken, and her workout space is very aesthetically pleasing, so her videos have a chill vibe while maintaining personality. If TikTok became your other quarantine obsession, then you’ll love her workouts set to popular TikTok songs. Like Pamela, Maddie also has fun dance cardio videos. She posts vegan recipes on her website and lifestyle YouTube channel, Maddie Lymburner, and has two ecookbooks. I always feel energized and inspired after working out with MadFit videos! Bottom line: If you have a dance background or dislike the typical fitness instructor personality, then MadFit is for you! I recognize that health and fitness are deeply personal, and this review is based solely on what I value in my ideal at-home workout options. I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or trained fitness professional. Everyone has personal goals related to exercise, whether that is weight loss, strengthening, or just living an active lifestyle. No approach is better than another as long as it is being done with a healthy lifestyle in mind, knowing that what is “healthy” can look different on everyone. My philosophy is that although it is challenging, exercise should make you feel good— mentally and physically. I grew up as a ballet dancer subjected to a toxic environment for the development of a positive body image. However, today I try to take pride in my fitness journey and see it as a reflection of my self-discipline and dedication to living a fuller life by my definition of what is fulfilling for me. Society sets enough unrealistic standards regarding bodies, and people will criticize others no matter what, so focusing on yourself and who you want to be first and foremost will yield the most important results!
MEDIA & CULTURE
Changing Trends: Body Positivity on TikTok
Can TikTok change for the better?
WRITTEN BY SOFIA CIPRIAN // ILLUSTRATED BY VICTORIA CRABB Social media has always had a contentious relationship with body image. The new trendy social media app, Tik Tok, is no different. In fact, it has taken “thinspo” to a whole new level. The “for you page” curates a feed for every user full of videos that are deemed “desirable.” AKA: videos of people with bigger bodies, disabilities or other “abnormalities” were often censored and removed from the app because they were not deemed “desirable” enough. Many Tik Tok users have also shared that when they look at their “for you page” all they see are “thin, white women.” This has become problematic because impressionable users of the app are then given a very limited representation of what bodies can and should look like.
my body.” Meanwhile, fourth-year psychology major Meg Huffman mentions that “Tik Tok makes me want cosmetic procedures done because of all the transformation videos that glorify changing your body.” Huffman also notes that the popular trend where users use a filter that fattens then slims their face so that they can “feel better” about their thinner face is “definitely toxic.” Therefore, each person’s experience with Tik Tok is catered to their interests, but also to their insecurities. The good news is that it seems like Tik Tok is trying to improve their practices. A recent update from Tik Tok states that they are “coming together to support body positivity” and lists steps it will take to improve its platform, including the restriction of ads that promote negative body image or dieting. While this is a great change, a lot of the visible progress seen on the app seems to be coming from body positive Tik Tok users and allies who have been expressing their contempt with the app’s censorship. There has been a surge in the number of users who post videos embracing body positivity, with the hashtag #bodypositivity amassing 2.9 billion videos.
Especially given how each person has a unique “for you page,” there is no cohesive Tik Tok experience, each person’s feed is curated. For example, fourth-year international relations major Emma Wyatt says, “I never was into the type of videos such as ‘how to get skinny quick’ to begin with, so then the algorithm never showed me those videos again and as a result the app has not impacted how I view
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MEDIA & CULTURE
Body positive Tik Tokers have taken it upon her rolls and cellulite, but that is okay! themselves to show users the range of body types that exist and reminds them that each • @kendramorous: Curve model who makes videos speaking about confidence and body is equally beautiful. Some popular trends accepting her body as it is. include dance videos where the user will pull the waistband of their pants down to show that • @denisemmercedes: Woman who does their stomach has flab and show that images on outfit try-ons with her friend; they both social media can be deceiving, or “what I eat in have very different body types and a day” videos that reinforce positive messages normalize how both body types can look reminding users to eat properly every day and good in the outfits. not restrict their diets in unhealthy ways. Undoubtedly, Tik Tok as a corporation still Beyond these trends, there are also a lot of has a long way to go in terms of ensuring all users who dedicate their entire platforms to bodies are represented on their app, but Tik body positivity. Some popular ones are: Tok users have decided they are not going • @spicylatina: Young Latina girl who posts to wait around for the app to improve and dance videos showing how her body can are taking matters into their own hands. By look “snatched” in some positions, while creating content that is inclusive and diverse, also showing that her rolls and curves are they are showing their audiences that there is not just one definition of beauty and that beautiful. we can all go on this journey of self-love • @brittanilancaster: Eating disorder together. recovery account where she posts videos showing what she eats and how she is improving her relationship with food. •
@caro.gurdian: Woman who does a lot of “get ready with me” videos showing how sometimes her clothes do not fit or display
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FOCUS
WRITTEN BY CHEYENNE TANG // ILLUSTRATED BY MADELINE INGRUM In an era of physical isolation, it is only natural that we have resorted to electronic platforms to seek connections. We live in a time where technology and, more specifically, social media has opened the door to unlimited possibilities. In 2020, America was faced with two pandemics: the COVID-19 outbreak and the pandemic that has been killing for centuries, racism. If life were a game, 2020 seems like the “Boss Level” for humanity:
designed to test our ability to persevere. The global pandemic is testing whether we can put others’ health and safety before our own. George Floyd’s murder amplified the Black Lives Matter movement to an international level. Worldwide lockdowns and quarantines have encouraged many to take time to transform their lives. With nowhere to go, self-reflection about our racist behavior is almost inevitable. This new level of awareness naturally led to another transformation: the social media transformation.
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On May 25, George Floyd was brutally murdered by police officers who arrested him for a counterfeit $20 bill. The officers ignored his pleas for mercy until he could no longer say “I can’t breathe.” The global outrage on social media that followed Floyd’s death was something I have never experienced before. The whole world was listening to America, and our country’s leadership failed to demonstrate empathy and understanding of basic human rights. Floyd’s death was the spark that ignited the flame to transform American social media spaces. It was up to social media users to educate their followers and enact activism. Previously, Facebook and Instagram were places for people to flaunt their “perfect” life and share what they’ve been up to with their friends and family. TikTok was a place for dance trends and Vinelike comedic videos. However, in the past months, the vernacular has shifted. I watched my Instagram feed become a bulletin board of social issues and politics. Family members and friends were posting quotes from influential figures, slide decks with resources and
FOCUS information, and the previously superficial platforms became an avenue for important conversation and debate. Whether it’s a simple clapping hands reaction to a slide deck I posted, or a reflective response acknowledging that “...it was verbose to use things like antiBlack violence and misogyny in conversation but this [post] totally makes sense.” Social media becoming the avenue of change has brought out some darker sides of the social media transformation. Performative activism became more apparent as users were posting to “prove” to their followers and friends that they cared about the Black Lives Matter movement, but may or may not have done more than post a black square one day. “Performative activism is defined as activism that is done to increase one’s social capital rather than because of one’s devotion to a cause.” #BlackoutTuesday is one of the largest social media trends to demonstrate performative activism. Originally started by the music industry, the intention behind #BlackoutTuesday was to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by halting normal business function and social media activity. This was to be achieved by posting a black square on Instagram instead of a photo of your avocado toast that you ate for
breakfast. What transpired instead was a sea of black squares on social media feeds that drowned out the resources and petitions with actionable items for people to show their support. The millions of black squares greatly outnumbered the amount of signatures on petitions to support victims like Breonna Taylor. People are being told what does and doesn’t count as activism, and others are invalidating individuals’ experiences. Cancel culture, “an attack on someone’s employment and reputation by a determined collective of critics, based on an opinion or an action that is alleged to be disgraceful and disqualifying,” allows people to escape from further accountability and growth. Brands and celebrities are being canceled for their lack of true commitment to social responsibility. As figures with a large platform, audiences expect messages of support and action. Users are seeing through the smoke screen of posing in solidarity and seeking more tangible and long-lasting efforts to support the Black Lives Matter movement. While social media poses some dangerous outcomes, it has also provided a plethora of resources to a younger generation who is addicted to the machine in their hand. The internet has already made information incredibly
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accessible, with resources at the tip of our fingers. The phones we carry are mobile encyclopedias and dictionaries. In the past few months, we didn’t need to open Google to access information about the deeprooted systemic racism America was founded on. All we had to do was open the Instagram app and the information was given to us. Some users’ motivation for sharing informative posts was to educate their followers on more nuanced topics that may not be common knowledge. Some people shared to show solidarity with the movement. Sharing information became easier than ever before. The social media shift has given me the tools I need to educate myself and my followers on issues that need more attention. While performative activism and allyship is dangerous, it starts the conversation about social justice and provides room to grow in productively. Rather than honing in on the negativity that has sprouted, I hope to lean into the positives. This was a much-needed transformation, and I can only hope that everyone likes the way the world looks with this filter on.
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It’s Time to Cancel Cancel Culture
WRITTEN BY SARAH LI // ILLUSTRATED BY MADELINE INGRUM Cancel culture, it’s like that exboyfriend who only hits you up late at night, the bag of potato chips lying under the mountain of vegetables in your shopping cart, the open Netflix tab right next to your assignment that’s supposed to be due the next day. Whether you want to admit it or not, you can’t help but get sucked back into it, even though you know it’s not good for you. It seems as if someone new is getting canceled every week. Usually, the lifespan of a trend on the Internet is brief, but cancel culture has rapidly snowballed into a bigger issue. It doesn’t matter who you are, from A-list celebrities to your smalltown friend group, anyone can be a target of cancel culture. Cancel culture has become a gray area that can’t be defined anymore, which is why it’s become so dangerous. Though not a new concept, the term “cancel culture” was coined pretty recently. This social phenomenon has exploded within the past couple of years to “cancel” people, brands,
or even movies and TV shows for promoting or doing something offensive. However, there’s a fine line between canceling someone or something and actually holding said party accountable for their actions. Accountability is calling someone out for wrongdoing on their part and also allowing them to show growth and maturity through their apology (if there is one) and future actions. It works the same with TV shows, movies, and books, too. This past year, Netflix was put under fire when they released the award-winning French film, “Cuties.” The promotional poster, which depicted a group of pre-teen actresses showing a lot of skin with their backs arched, sparked a lot of controversy with the film crowd and other critics. The hashtags #CancelNetflix and #BoycottNetflix were soon trending on Twitter after people began calling out Netflix for releasing a movie that portrayed the sexualization of underage girls and the normalization of it. What cancel culture fails to do is
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allow people to take accountability for their actions. A virtual mob constantly attacking someone or something distracts everyone from having a productive conversation on how to reflect and apologize. In some cases, many people hop on the bandwagon and cancel someone for the sake of cancelling something. With cancel culture, it’s good to address the mistake, but there is a lack of education on the latter part. There is no chance given to learn from the mistake. However, we can’t help but feed into the drama. As soon as we see that hashtag trending on Twitter, it’s too late. We want to be constantly updated on who’s being canceled and their response to it all. The Internet has become a ruthless place to be if you have a platform at all. Twitter users have developed FBI-like skills in digging up old tweets and posts from a decade ago that would definitely be incriminating if someone were to tweet something like that today. It doesn’t matter how private you
FOCUS think your spam account is — if anything offensive was said, it’ll get out one way or another. In fact, here’s a short list of celebrities that have been “canceled” from March to the end of this summer: James Charles, Shane Dawson, Jeffree Star, Vanessa Hudgens, Lea Michele, Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, and the list goes on. Shane Dawson and Jeffree Star received huge backlash (as they should) after Tati, another beauty influencer who had stirred up drama last year against James Charles, released a video accusing them of manipulating her into releasing the previous video. After that, people online dug up past content of Dawson and Star, both who had said and acted in offensive ways. Star was exposed for making racist remarks, and Dawson went down for a lot of reasons, including pedophilia, racist behavior, and even bestiality. However, despite all the evidence racked up against them, they both still have a platform and a loyal fanbase. During a livestream on Instagram, Vanessa Hudgens made insensitive remarks about COVID-19, saying that Coachella was more important than quarantining, yet the backlash she received was short-lived. Contrarily, allegations about Doja Cat being anti-black turned out to be false, yet people still attack her for it. That’s precisely the problem with cancel culture — people pick and choose who they want to cancel without any consistency. It doesn’t really matter if these celebrities apologize but don’t show any change or growth. Specifically, when it comes to social media influencers, there’s almost an unspoken routine that comes with cancel culture. When one of them gets called out, their response is usually a long apology video with a dramatic title. However, it’s a rare occasion when we actually see them own up to
their actions instead of diverting the blame to their mental health or their young age. In the end, a lot of them don’t even end up apologizing, which was the whole reason they made the video in the first place. Then, most of them follow up their apology with a “short break from social media,” but slowly start posting content until they’re fully integrated into the community again. The replies to cancel culture have become a temporary fix for a response that should take more than a twentyminute YouTube video or a hastily written notes app apology.
Now, it’s not to say that cancel culture doesn’t have some benefits. Without the Internet sleuths, we wouldn’t know about some people’s problematic past, and they would’ve continued to succeed without recognizing their mistakes. J.K. Rowling, one of the world’s most successful and franchised authors, has recently been called out for being transphobic. In her most recent novel, “Trouble Blood,” there’s a serial-killer character who wears women’s clothes to disarm his victims, but he’s neither transgender nor a cross-dresser. On Twitter, she’s expressed her controversial beliefs about the trans movement and people who are transgender, saying that she “knows and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives.” Not only that, but fans have begun picking apart her infamous Harry Potter series. It’s a bit suspicious that the only Asian character in the series is named “Cho Chang,” and that she got sorted into Ravenclaw,
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the house that was known for intelligence. In her case, cancel culture brought about these issues that need to be addressed. People are upset with J.K. Rowling for a genuine reason. But, for other cases, the real question we have to ask ourselves is if it’s worth it all the time. Is it worth digging up someone’s offensive tweets from 2012 when they were 13 years old because they could’ve changed within the past ten years? We’ve seen a countless number of people being canceled for no reason, too. Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the Oscars in 2019 because people had dug up tweets from 2010 where he wrote homophobic messages. He received serious repercussions and got genuinely cancelled. But, even after his honest apology, people still ignored the fact that the tweets were from a decade ago and that he took responsibility for his actions and continued to criticize him for it. Another example is Jenna Marbles. Some of the more recent accusations were quite serious, and she did take accountability for her mistakes and showed growth on her YouTube channel. However, let’s not forget that a mass of people tried to cancel her for killing her fish when she accidentally bought the wrong tank for it. The likelihood of cancel culture dying is very slim. As much as we don’t want to give in to drama, it’s hard to not be intrigued and follow the gossip. When it’s not our own lives under fire, it’s easy to get sucked into the excitement and spectacle because we don’t personally see the repercussions. For now, cancel culture is here to stay, but it’s important that we learn how to hold others (and ourselves) accountable in the most mature manner before it spirals into something that can’t be stopped.
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The Impact of What You Wear It is not uncommon for people our age to be swept up by fast fashion. Whether worn by an influencer, advertised on Instagram, or seen on students around campus, the temptation for new clothes is everywhere! Ever-changing internet trends make new styles not only desirable but also incredibly accessible because clothes are so cheap. As convenient as fast fashion appears to be, the underlying costs of the industry will make you think twice before you buy. The environmental costs of quickly producing and consuming cheap clothes are enormous! People can acquire high quantities of clothing like never before. About 65% of modern clothing is made from nonbiodegradable synthetic materials. Unfortunately, cotton is not much better because there are numerous chemicals, dyes, and pesticides in our “100% cotton” items that leach into the earth, damaging ecosystems. The fast-fashion industry is one of the world’s largest polluters. Bear in mind the extremely high rates of carbon emissions released from factories, the billions of cubic meters of freshwater used during production, the various chemicals that leak into waters, and the
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By Michela Redington Design By Ellie Johnson non-biodegradable waste that is piling up in landfills. These statistics are overwhelming to think about and sometimes difficult to imagine. The convenience of walking into a store or pressing a button online makes it easy to pretend our shopping decisions are inconsequential. Sometimes we are not proud of ordering something from SHEIN, but we do it anyway because the prices are so tempting. We know it is poor quality, but it is so cheap and looks so good on the model! Hopefully, once learning the unethical costs of producing fast-fashion styles, we can help each other end these bad habits. Most of the fast-fashion items we buy (97% actually) are produced overseas because there are fewer environmental regulations and relaxed workers’ rights laws (this is called outsourcing). The fast-fashion industry is able to provide cheap
FOCUS clothes when workers are paid extremely low wages and work in poor, often even dangerous, conditions. The global fashion industry is worth $2.5 trillion, however, the average Ethiopian worker in the garment industry makes $26 a month – that’s $84 below the monthly living cost. It is helpful to learn where and how our clothes are produced to make fashion choices that align with our ethics, especially when many companies try to hide these facts. For many of us, it doesn’t feel good to have excessive clutter littering our closets, so the best thing we can do for ourselves and our environment is to consume less! So simple, yet so difficult in the world we live in. Unfortunately, only about 1% of textile waste ends up getting recycled, so a great way to make sure you recycle is to do it yourself: if you want to switch out pieces of clothing when you get tired of them, use online thrifting sites to sell your stuff and buy from others. You could also look for brands that use recycled material. Another great solution is to repurpose within your wardrobe. Get creative and cut up your old jeans instead of buying new ripped ones, I do this all the time! Use these tips as alternatives when you are tempted to indulge in the low prices of fast-fashion brands. Consider alternatives to fast fashion in instances where you can afford it. It is worth noting that not everyone can afford the luxury brands that promote sustainability. Fast fashion remains so tempting because it makes fashion accessible to all, something that the fashion industry still needs to improve on. In the meantime, the best way to avoid this temptation is to practice everything in moderation. Try to avoid fast fashion when you can and instead make the most of the alternatives. Whether by repurposing clothes you already own, going to a thrift store, or even searching through your parents’ old clothes, you can find unique ways to create the wardrobe you desire. The key is to be intentional with your purchases. Consider the true cost of an item based on its environmental and ethical impacts. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this item? Is there a better place that I could be spending my money?” and “Is this purchase really worth the true cost?” Stay educated and involved in the sustainable clothing movement with some of these resources: 7Billion for 7Seas Sustainability Blog: https://7billionfor7seas.com/ Sustain Your Style Blog: https://www.sustainyourstyle. org/old-environmental-impacts Good On You Ethical Fashions Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/goodonyou_app/?hl=en A Guide to the Most and Least Sustainable Fabrics: https://www.eco-stylist.com/a-guide-to-the-most-andleast-sustainable-fabrics/
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97%OF FAST
FASHION IS PRODUCED OVERSEAS
THE GLOBAL FASHION INDUSTRY IS WORTH
$2.5 TRILLION
THE AVERAGE ETHIOPIAN WORKER MAKES
$26 /MONTH
$450 BILLION
WORTH OF CLOTHING IS THROWN AWAY EACH YEAR
NORTHEASTERN’S LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE DOESN’T END HERE. WWW.WOOF-MAG.COM
