Your Magazine Vol. 5 Issue 3: December 2015

YOUR MAG

Volume 5 | Issue 3 | December 2015

VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 3 | DECEMBER 2015

HALEY SHERIF

M AT T H E W M U L L E N

P E Y TO N D I X

Creative Director

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

LINDSEY MCFADDEN

CHRIS GARCIA

ARIELA RUDY ZALTZMAN

Head of Design

Photo Director

C H E L S E A T R E M B L AY

LINDSEY PARADIS

Romance Editor

A&E Editor

RIANA ODIN

PIMPLOY PHONGSIRIVECH

Living Editor

Art Director

ESTHER BLANCO

PERI LAPIDUS

Asst. Living Editor

Head of Beauty & Talent Manager

C L A I R E TO R R E S

CHRISTIAN LOPEZ

Asst. Designer

Head Copy Editor

ANDREA PAL AGI

Style Editor

M E G A N C AT H E Y

Asst. Style Editor

MADELINE BILIS & KAREN MORALES

Marketing Director

Digital Editors

MIA ZARRELLA

Editorial Stylist

Marketing: KATJA VUJIĆ, SYDNEY HANNIBAL, KALA SLADE, EVAN MCCRORY, MIA DOYON, KAYLA SALIBA, KIM GONZALEZ

Copy Editors: KELSEY PERKINS, JULIA ROBERTO, EMILY PFAFF, ISABEL CRABTREE, IRIS PEÑA Your Mag TV Directors: HANNAH PERRIN, JENNIFER LEAHY Special Thanks To: CHRIS GARCIA & LINDSEY MCFADDEN YMEMERSON.COM | INSTAGRAM: YOUR.MAG | TWITTER: @YOURMAGEMERSON

editor’s letter

T

his semester, “cc: my personal life, Kylie Jenner’s

from the baby you sat that day (because how else

lips, Raven-Symoné, etc.”, has been a wreck. But

would you pay for the Uber you threw up in that

despite the occasional disastrous event or two...

night). S/o to the series of bad breakups and hook-

or twelve, there are few things that make Fall 2015

ups succeeding those break-ups with exes that weren’t

worth it: When the omelette line in the DH is short,

even that great in bed. Even give a s/o to the days you

any day above 60 degrees, and you all.

wasted Netflix and chilling (probably alone). What-

In this issue we specifically chose to emphasize

ever you’re doing, whoever you are, take a moment

the you in Your Magazine. This magazine not only

to recognize your worth and belonging. Take time to

exists but thrives because of the incredibly astute

appreciate you (pro tip: start by continuing to read

audience that continues to both read and share each

through this magazine).

issue. We want to take this opportunity to highlight

My personal s/o is to the tireless and talented

members of not just the Emerson community but the

team who have spent long nights slaving over this

Boston community as well.

issue that is truly representative of the astounding

It’s essential that once in a while we give a round of applause to the people who inspire, the peers we

work we are able to produce, on both an individual and a collective scale.

admire, and the friends who keep you in it for the

Thank you to all of our contributors, supporters,

long haul. But more importantly, thank yourself.

readers, and everyone else for not only making this

Thank yourself for your work, your mistakes, and the

magazine phenomenal but for continuing to run up

people who are by your side making both with you.

in the six with your W.O.E.S.

So s/o to the throw-up on your Nike sweater

Enjoy.

-Peyton Dix

Romance 04

Girls Don’t Count

07

Damsel in Disasters: Tinder Newbie

08

For Emma, Forever Ago.

11

Ladies, Get Your Head in the Game

12

Gender Talks

Editorial

Living

16

34

28

JUST KIDS Arts & Craft

36 37 38

Niche Novel Destinations Finding Café Harmony 110 by 40 Miles of Tropical Uncertainty

TENTS

Style 22 25 26

CON-

Scar Tissue Beauty on a Budget Feminist Heels and Ideals

Arts & Entertainment 40 44 46 48 52 54 56

The Funny Girls Your Things: Pim Hamilton: A Revolutionary Masterpiece Emerson Spotlight Band Profile: Rosko Green Trap Orchaestra Artist Statement

girls don’t

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COUNT P H O TO G R A P H Y B Y S O P H I E P E T E R S - W I L S O N M O D E L S : TAY L O R R O B E R T S , C A R A C O N AWAY , I S H M A E L R O S A S

04 | YOURMAG

W R I T T E N B Y M E C H I L A K ATO S & P E Y TO N D I X

You are thirteen when Ellie Paciorek from second

matching superhero costumes. You are kissing a pretty

period pre-algebra asks if you can show her how to kiss

girl who lives a floor below you as he drinks cheap beer

a boy. You’ve never kissed a boy but you want to kiss her,

with his roommates across the room. “It doesn’t bother

so you say yes. “Just follow my lead.” She uses too much

me. Do whatever you want, baby.”

tongue but you don’t mind.

Later, you run into a boy from your ethics class and

She pulls at your shirt and runs her hands up your

you stop for a moment to talk—commiserate about the

back, and electricity vibrates through every nerve end-

density of Kierkegaard’s discourses. He compliments

ing in your body. She leans in, her breath hot on your

your costume. Your boyfriend swoops in, puts his arm

ear, and whispers, “So is this how you would do it—with

around your waist forcefully and pulls you away. “Why

a boy?”

the fuck were you talking to that guy like that?” he de-

The moms always say Did you girls have fun, say

mands stonily as you wait for the train.

Do you want any snacks, say Oh, honey, I pulled out the

You smoke a little bit then TP trees in the garden and

trundle bed for you, and you say Thank you, and then

go to the playground on the Esplanade and climb to the

you fall into her twin bed together, and her blankets are

top. You scream at the top of your lungs out onto the icy

so soft and she is softer.

river, then tumble down, giggling wildly and kissing each

Fifteen in the dark, beneath your paisley bed-

other’s frozen lips.

spread, Phoebe kisses your neck and then your clavicle,

You sit in pajamas with your new roommates the

and your ears and lips and breasts. Lying in thin tops

first night of sophomore year and comply with standard

under sweaty eyelids, she falls into you and you into her,

“boy talk.” They list all of the boys they’ve had sex with.

and she is nervous but tastes so sweet and your heart

Four for Maya, who’s been in decidedly committed re-

swells and you tangle together until you can’t tell whose

lationships since her first high school boyfriend. Kath-

hair is whose. “Don’t worry,” she whispers to you, kiss-

leen’s number is a little higher because of party hookups

ing your cheeks and nose and brushing your hair out

and booty-calls in between boyfriends. When you go,

of your eyes. “You’re still a virgin. Girls don’t count. It’s

Maya is pissed. “That’s not fair!” she exclaims. “If you’re

not a big deal.”

counting girls, I should be able to count blow jobs!”

You find any excuse to let your fingers linger on her

You spend nights with butterflies in your stomach,

skin too long. You’re nervous and it’s quiet and you can

lips almost touching before you spin away with drunken

barely breathe. You’ve waited for her for months. You melt

nerves. Your hands intertwine beneath jacket sleeves as

at her touch, at her lips and the curve of her waist and the

you give sage boy advice to drunk friends about the cute

way her face crinkles when she laughs about something

guys who sit with PBRs at the next table. Your friends flirt,

stupid you’ve said.

and you whisper incoherent secrets into each other’s ears,

“It’s not a big deal,” says your boyfriend freshman year of college at the Halloween party you attend in

sip your beers, kiss necks softly.

Winter break and you’re at an impromptu dinner

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | 05

“

She is nervous and sweet and her skin is warm and silky. You could keep your face on her neck, on her collarbone, down her soft stomach, forever, you think. You revel in the beauty that permeates when she’s silent, or thoughtful, the beauty in her intellect, her perceptiveness, her wit. In her eyes, Jesus Christ.

”

party with high school friends. You eat duck and asparagus and sip Anna’s parents’ expensive wine in her pristine kitchen and play truth or dare. You pick truth, and Ezra asks you what the kinkiest thing you’ve done is. You freeze, embarrassed, unsure of how to answer.

Anna answers for you,“Well she fucks girls, so…” Everyone nods, satisfied with the response. “Damn,” the boys say. “That’s hot.”

She is nervous and sweet and her skin is warm and silky. You could keep your face on her neck, on her col-

At a bar in JP, a cute guy with a scruffy beard and tortoiseshell eyeglasses buys you a beer. You thank him, but tell him upfront that you have a girlfriend.

larbone, down her soft stomach, forever, you think. You

He laughs. “Are you in college?” You tell him

revel in the beauty that permeates when she’s silent, or

yes. “All girls are a little gay in college. You’re gonna

thoughtful, the beauty in her intellect, her perceptiveness,

end up with a man, don’t worry.” You tell him that’s

her wit. In her eyes, Jesus Christ.

presumptuous, ask him what he means. “Oh, come

You fidget with your fingers as you sit with your

on,” he chuckles. “You’re too pretty to be gay.”

brother in your favorite restaurant. You can’t meet his

She gets quiet and you drive, because you’re good

gaze when you tell him about her. You inhale sharply

at that. You pull over when you tire, and sleep on

and think about her cheeks, their rosiness, the way

backs, and she’s pulling your shirt with its collar, your

freckles stain her forehead and the spaces where her

body with its heart beating too fast. She whispers on

eyes crinkle up when she speaks. You tell him you think

about astrology, and children’s television shows, and

you’re in love. He’s surprised, but smiles. “What’s his

plays with your hair, then she stops and watches, quiet,

name?” he asks. “Her name’s Charlotte,” you say cau-

and she grabs your hand, and it’s making s’mores—

tiously. His expression changes.

snap crackle pop. You almost tell her you love her then,

You can feel the shadow of her weight on your hip

but let the sound of her voice sing you to sleep instead.

bones, and all that this beer tastes like now, is her lips.

You run into your ex-boyfriend at the din-

You’ve memorized how her eyes look when they’re open,

ing hall and he smirks at you. He’s heard you and

how the brown in them is gold and how the black in them

Charlotte have broken up. “You missed dick, huh?”

is endless.

he chides. “Knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away long.”

You broke up because she cheated on you with an old girlfriend and thinking about her makes you feel like crumbling to pieces, but you don’t tell him that.

06 | YOURMAG

Damsel in Disasters WITH CHELSEA TREMBLAY

The Phases of Being a Tinder Newbie (Why you shouldn’t feel obligated to try online dating and what you’re [not] missing out on)

One day you might find yourself single for the first time in years. Don’t panic. As you may have noticed, the world around you has changed. Romance isn’t as simple as having a crush on someone in third period science class and asking them to “go out.” But that doesn’t mean you have to immediately abandon all prior notions and jump on the Tinder bandwagon. The new way people date——hidden behind screens and Photoshopped first impressions——is not for everyone. It may not be for you. Fight that urge to bring your broken heart to the App Store.

Because that’s what I did, and it came with a heavy dose of culture shock.

There are phases you go through when you transition from a multiple-year commitment to a database of bootycalls, and they’re not the phases you should dive into when you need to be in the “healing and figuring myself out” phase. Let me explain:

PHASE 1: Branding yourself (All you’re doing is selling a product and trying to package it in the prettiest, most interesting way.)

• You’ll suddenly notice you haven’t taken a group photo in three years.

• Every good photo of you has your ex in it.

PHASE 2: Realizing how shallow (but addicting) it is to dismiss people based on a photo • You’ll realize you never knew just how popular fishing is (for people who aren’t your grandpa).

• Craft beer or die.

PHASE 3: There’s only so much you can say to a total stranger asking “what’s up.”

• Tinder is like a mini job interview with the possible end result being sex, so it’s even more stressful.

• You’ll just want to talk about cats and drunk cooking like you could with your ex, but now you have to seem cool, mysterious, and fascinating instead.

PHASE 4: Disappointment • Chemistry is hard to develop through a screen • This manifests in so many differrent way that a bullet point list couldn’t do them all justice.

Basically, after becoming accustomed to dating a certain way, online dating can be rather disenchanting. It’s healthier to face and embrace your new singledom than trying to fight it by joining the thousands who already know the ins-andouts of online dating. We are, after all, taught from an early age that just because your friends are doing it doesn’t make it cool.

ROMANCE | 07

For Emma, WRITTEN BY MEHAK ANWAR ARTWORK BY PIMPLOY PHONGSIRIVECH

Forever Ago.

T

he inside of Emma’s car was the safest place in the en-

tire microcosm of narratives that suddenly no one else

tire world. My most vivid memories are from her car.

understood. That alone broke my heart a hundred times.

I was always scared to go home, so when we would

Thinking about this all was exhausting in the early,

get near my street, I would ask her to go around the block.

daunting phases of the Boston winter. Left completely

She always would, sometimes even twice, and when she

alone with my thoughts, I began to habitually dissociate

finally had to say goodnight there was always a promise of

and take drugs which I knew would give me serotonin

tomorrow. For almost four years there were no goodbyes,

lows and produce apathy and indifference. My dear

no heavy parting. There was always see you soon. Even

friends were concerned. “You can talk to us!” They would

when she left town for what we thought might be a year,

say, cheerfully. “You can tell us anything!” But what use

there was a see you soon through the tears.

was it? At the end of the day they had the luxury to just

She must have run out of see you soons, though, be-

run off to their boys and live loudly and proudly. If they

cause one day she woke up 1,000 miles away and decided

got their hearts broken, they could call their mothers or

she couldn’t do it anymore. There was no warning. There

fathers, turn to literature or film to learn how to heal, go

was no fight. The news came in the form of a short mes-

out to a bar and shout their heartbreak at a stranger, ex-

sage on my phone. That was it.

pecting sympathy and solidarity. The whole world was

Navigating life in the wake of this grand betrayal was tricky. Sometimes it was easy, sometimes it was hard, but

their safe space, which was never an experience I’ve had.

What could they possibly have to offer me?

mostly it was the same; the same as the day before, which

Pretty soon, my own safe spaces started to turn on

was the same as the day before that, and the days contin-

me. I was frightened to go back to my room because,

ued to get more dismal and cold.

while it held me in its warmth and maroon satin sheets, it

To be left abruptly, decidedly forgotten, and hastily removed are no easy realities to navigate, but at the fresh

also was responsible for luring me away from real life and feeding me memories.

age of 20 I considered them to be the hardest realities I

“In this corner,” the room would whisper, late at

had to endure. Not only had I lost a friend, but I had lost

night “you two ate chocolates with peanut butter and

a sense of security that comes with being known so inti-

laughed at Despicable Me.”

mately by someone. She could correctly guess the number

“On this couch, she spilled a glass of rosé and you

of books I’d read in my life, the exact foods that would sat-

were both so high that you licked it right off. Look, the

isfy my cravings, the intensity of touch that would soothe

stain is still here.”

any ailment. Gone, just like that, leaving me with an en-

“This shirt smells like her house in Seattle. Come

“NOT ONLY HAD I LOST A FRIEND, BUT I HAD LOST A SENSE OF SECURITY THAT COMES WITH BEING KNOWN SO INTIMATELY BY SOMEONE.”

ROMANCE | 09

“PEOPLE LIKE TO ROMANTICIZE MISERY AND PAINT IT OUT TO BE SOMETHING COVETED AND TITILLATING, BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT THERE’S NOTHING ROMANTIC ABOUT SADNESS.”

closer, smell it.”

But when I started to feel suffocated in the one place that was supposed to be entirely safe and entirely mine,

would be to give myself up to it, to admit it was my ruler and embrace it, even love it. But I wasn’t interested. I was desperate for a way out.

leaving wasn’t an option either. The whole city was heavy

So for an entire year, I didn’t take a single photo-

with her fingerprints, from the brick building in Central

graph in any of our spots, whether that was in Boston, Se-

Square that housed us one summer, to the corner of Com-

attle, Vermont, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire

monwealth and Mass Ave where we would wait for buses

or Santa Monica. I didn’t write a single word about her in

to get out of the city together, to the swan boats in the

any of my journals. I didn’t pitch any articles about heart-

Public Garden, which her dad insisted we experience to-

ache. To do any of these things would just be another way

gether. “When you plan to do anything romantic in Bos-

of allowing her in, and she didn’t deserve to be part of my

ton,” he told us sternly the summer before college, “you

narrative anymore. I would have to fix this myself.

must start with a quaint, little ride on the swan boats” (we never did).

It felt wildly unfair to me that while she was “discov-

It’s been over a year now. She’s back from her en-

ering herself ” in a different country with new people, a

chanting adventures, but we don’t really run into each

new language, and new, untainted spaces, I was expected

other. She has someone, I have someone. She has decided

to deal with the baggage of this place all by myself. Ev-

to grow her hair out, I have decided to move to L.A. Her

erywhere reminded me of her, but she got away with

car has driven across the country, and probably doesn’t

moving on quickly because she could look at a room, a

smell the same as it used to. Even though I still frequently

building, a person, or a street without seeing an outline

see photos of her pop up on various social media feeds, I

of me standing there, without catching a whiff of my per-

can’t always remember what she looks like when I close

fume, without hearing the last words my voice shouted.

my eyes, what she sounds like, and most importantly, how

She created new moments while I desperately tried to re-

she made me feel. Contrary to popular encouragement,

place old ones. When I explained this feeling to a friend,

by resisting art, narrative, and old haunts, I have been able

he responded calmly with a line that angers me to this

to reclaim my spaces, reclaim my writing, and restart a

day: “make art.” I asked him what he meant, how “making

different story with a different person.

art” would reverse all this loss. He laughed. “Nothing will reverse the loss, but the best art comes from pain.”

I understand that people like to romanticize mis-

ple love to tell me that all of those problems will surely

ery and paint it out to be something coveted and titillat-

return, full-force, to fuck me up. Everyone believes that

ing, but the truth is that there’s nothing romantic about

the proverbial rug is a place of permanence. What no one

sadness. Sadness is coming home and calling someone’s

tells you, though, is if you leave things under there for

name after a long day of work, only to be met with silence.

long enough, they rot, decay, and lose their luster. They

Sadness is going on a long drive without anything beauti-

become so unrecognizably mangled that you can’t stand

ful to look at on the way, or without anyone to meet at the

to look at them anymore. They can’t possibly return to

end. Sadness is forgetting the details of your childhood

fuck you up because they have no life left in them.

home. Sadness is incredibly isolating. To find beauty in it

10 | YOURMAG

So yes, that’s just a fancy way to say I swept every single one of my problems under the rug, and yes, peo-

And the rest, as they say, is rust and stardust. YM

“SCIENCE TELLS US THAT THE BIGGEST SEXUAL ORGAN IN A WOMAN LIES WITHIN HER HEAD”

W

omen whose minds wander during sex are less likely to have an orgasm. According to Live Science, “One in four women experience difficulty reaching orgasm.”

To put this into perspective if you live in PRow, it’s likely that at least one of your suitemates is not getting that tingly feeling in bed. But this does not mean that there is anything wrong: science tells us that the biggest sexual organ in a woman lies within her head.

“If I want to have an orgasm too much and I know that I want it too much then I start thinking about how much I need it to happen, and I put too much pressure on myself to make it happen, and then it doesn’t,” explains Isabel Crabtree ‘18. Cognitive distraction during sex (or in other words, thinking about the ketchup you put on your french fries at the DH) can inhibit a woman from reaching orgasm. Particularly if a woman

ladies, get your head in the game

is thinking about how her partner is seeing her body, she will be more unlikely to reach the “big O.” A study published in “The Role of Cognitive Distraction on Female Orgasm” proved that lack of erotic thoughts during sex was the leading indicator in orgasm difficulties.

“I am too in my head, so often I think about the end result and not what is going on right in the moment,” says Sophie Schoenfeld ‘18.

She expressed that she believes she struggles with “being in the moment.”

“I would like to say one hundred percent that during sex I am thinking about the person I am actually having sex with, but that is a complete and total lie,” says Schoenfeld. “Sometimes I will get stressed and not be able to push those thoughts out of my mind.” In contrast to this, men seem to use the method of distraction in order to last longer in bed.

Riley Hillyer ‘18 says, “Some-

times I think about math problems or recite lines from a play in my head so that I don’t finish too quickly.” He thinks by allowing his mind to wander, he has a better shot at pleasing his lady.

A strong way to combat little distractions from trickling into the mind is to make sure that the environment to begin with has little to no distractions—whatever that may be. For example, as college students, making sure that a roommate is not going to walk in when you’re in the middle of the throes can relieve a lot of stress.

But the bottom line is this: just know that if it’s hard to have an orgasm it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.

You are not broken! So many women think that because they cannot orgasm easily, it means that they never will. Orgasms are mind over matter.

Sometimes, the brain can be the biggest cock block of them all. YM

WR ITTEN BY JULIA WOO D PHOTO COUR TESY OF UNSPL AS H

ROMANCE | 11

Gender Talks WRITTEN BY CABOT LEE-PETOIA

I

t is 2015: legal love won nationwide on June 26th. Things are going so well on a large scale for the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States. But after decades of discussing sexuality, our mainstream dialogue has recently started

highlighting a new subject: gender.

The way we talk about gender is changing rapidly. Target, which most of

us know as a magnificent, fluorescent oasis of everything that we could possibly want, recently made the groundbreaking decision to not separate their children’s toy sections into “Boy” and “Girl.” Instead, the company is allowing the previously ‘gendered’ toys to intermingle. The idea is to let kids decide what they like for themselves, so that they can develop their own opinions, personalities, and preferences.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SAMANTHA MUSTARI STYLING: PERI LAPIDUS MODELS: XIA RONDEAU & PERI LAPIDUS SPECIAL THANKS: E.A.G.L.E.

12 | YOURMAG

But what happens to gender when we step be-

posts from straight women claiming to be “gay for

yond the toy section of a huge corporation and into

Ruby Rose” because of her mystique and aesthetic

the real world, and more importantly, into people’s

appeal. Many queer women were offended by com-

personal lives? After all, Target’s decision was essen-

ments like this, saying that they just reinforced the

tially a business move—a response to what people

antiquated idea that being gay is a choice. Twitter

are talking about and feeling in regards to gender

user @kxthleen illustrated this widespread irritation

these days. So what does gender look like in 2015 to

perfectly when she said, “YOU ARE NOT ‘GAY FOR

those who don’t necessarily identify with the male

RUBY ROSE’ YOU CANNOT JUST ‘TURN GAY’

versus female constructs of society?

FOR ONE PERSON THAT’S NOT HOW SEXUAL-

Ruby Rose Langenheim, a high-profile su-

ITY WORKS YOU BUNCH OF WET NOODLES.”

per-tattooed model, artist, DJ, and actor, has really

There are lots of opinions about oh-so-hot Ruby

changed up dialogue about gender at the mainstream

Rose and the nature of her fans. There could be pages

level. Ruby Rose came out as lesbian at age 12, and

of analysis written about what her presence means

originally made plans to transition from female to

in society, and perhaps the angry sentiment from

male using hormones. Later, she changed her mind,

gay women is an understandable one. But what if,

and has instead become, essentially, the Covergirl for

instead, we look at self-identified straight women

androgyny. While she still uses female pronouns, she

being openly “gay for Ruby Rose” as an illustration

identifies as gender neutral.

that sexuality is not rigid and permanent? And what

Ruby Rose’s recent appearance on the Netflix

if we acknowledge the fact that lots of kinds of people

TV show Orange is the New Black stirred up some

are totally on board with the fact that she identifies

controversy on social media. There were endless

as gender neutral?

ROMANCE | 13

Controversial questions aside, it is crucial to ac-

der as a young teenager. Since then, he has tweaked his

knowledge that many people who identify outside the

identity when learning new words or concepts, and today

societally defined lines of gender also exist outside the

identifies as transmasculine/agender.

Hollywood spotlight. While Ruby Rose is awesome for

Being transmasculine, to Casey, means that “even

keeping the topic going, we should not look to her for

though I do not identify fully as male, I still wish to pres-

all answers about gender identity. There are many people

ent masculinely [sic]. For instance, I personally use he/

much closer to us who have unique and important stories

him/his pronouns and plan on transitioning medically

to share.

with testosterone soon.” And to Casey, being agender

Casey MacPhail ‘18 hails from Arlington, MA. He

means “without gender.” Casey says, “Though I present

says that he was lucky enough to grow up in an “accepting

[myself] a certain way, in my heart I don’t feel a connec-

and queer friendly community.” His family is still active

tion to any gender.”

with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. UU

Casey wants to see more trans writers, producers,

churches are unique because they “create spirituality and

and directors creating stories about trans lives to con-

community beyond boundaries,” meaning that they in-

tinue the discussion that is slowly starting in the United

clude many religions and spiritualities within their prac-

States. He says that “all of my definitions come from my

tices. UU churches also have a sex ed program called Our

own experience and education.” This is important to

Whole Lives (OWL), which aims to “dismantle stereo-

point out, because people who exist under the umbrella

types and assumptions, build acceptance and self-esteem,

of ‘transgender,’ ‘agender,’ or ‘queer’ can have very dif-

foster healthy relationships, improve decision making,

ferent feelings, opinions, and experiences from one an-

and has the potential to save lives.”

other. That’s why it’s important to have lots of different

Participating in OWL at age 13 helped Casey to feel safe and supported, and provided him with resources to

narratives, so we can remember that one person does not speak for all.

help define his identity in more concrete terms. It intro-

Lastly, Casey says that the best thing allies can do is

duced him to the term ‘transgender,’ and also helped him

to just listen, keeping in mind that some people like to

realize his bisexuality at the time. In regards to sexual

discuss their genders and identities, while some do not—

orientation now, Casey prefers to use the label ‘queer,’ be-

and that is okay.

cause it is more inclusive and demonstrative of his true feelings.

Lyndsey Romjue (also called L or Logan) ‘18 came to Emerson from Hill Valley, a town in the San Fran-

From that point on, a lot of Casey’s identity process

cisco area “home to yoga moms, health nuts, and where

was introspective. As a young teenager, he would often

mountain biking was first invented.” They identify as a

think about what he wanted to be like when he grew up.

transgender nonbinary queer individual. To Lyndsey,

Eventually, he realized that the ideal Casey was essentially

being transgender “refers to anyone who identifies as

just a male version of himself. This helped him to come to

something outside the gender binary, or outside of fe-

terms with his gender identity. He came out as transgen-

male/male.” They explain that a lot of people get transsex-

“AS PEERS, CL ASSMATES, ALLIES, AND FRIENDS, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE SENSITIVE TO IDENTITIES THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY OUR OWN. APPRECIATING DIVERSITY MEANS ACKNOWLEDGING OUR DIFFERENCES AND CELEBRATING THEM, WHILE BEING CAREFUL TO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS OR CALL ON ONE PERSON TO SPEAK FOR EVERYONE.”

14 | YOURMAG

ual and transgender confused. They explain, “the media uses transgender to refer to individuals who change from their sex at birth to the opposite sex, which is actually called transsexual.”

Lyndsey’s gender identity is very fluid. “Some days I feel exactly in the middle but on other days it fluctuates,” they explain, and also mention that other names for this are ‘genderqueer’ or ‘genderfluid,’ depending on a person’s preference.

Lyndsey, similarly to Casey, began their journey by coming out as bisexual at a young age. Later, in high school, they came out as gay. Since then, they have gone through a lot of personal development and learned new terms and concepts, which has led them to be most comfortable identifying as a ‘queer individual.’ They feel that their gender identity is not completely understood, but that trans issues and identities are slowly becoming more widely understood by everyone. They feel that though Emerson is positive in this regard, because people here “are so willing to learn and ask questions, which really makes a difference,” even our campus has a lot to learn.

Although these are just two narratives from Emersonians who identify as agender and non-binary, respectively, they speak volumes. Both stories demonstrate how identities can change so much over a lifetime (or just 20 years), and that it is okay to exist outside of the lines that society draws for gender identity and sexual orientation.

Both Lyndsey and Casey emphasize the importance of both asking about and listening to personal narratives, and knowing when to stop asking—as Casey pointed out, many people do not want to go into detail about their identities.

As peers, classmates, allies, and friends, it is important for us to be sensitive to identities that are not necessarily our own. Appreciating diversity means acknowledging our differences and celebrating them, while being careful to not make assumptions or call on one person to speak for everyone. Let’s truly live up to our title as “The #1 Most LGBT Friendly School in America” by being curious, helpful, and authentic. YM

ROMANCE | 15

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T I O N

PEYTON DIX

P H O TO G R A P H E D B Y

NYDIA HARTONO

COLLAGED BY

BRADEN BOCHNER

MODELS

Z E K E S T. J O H N

MALACHI MCDONALD

SAW Y E R P H I L I P S

JADE YOUNG

MICHELLE KRIGSFELD

like p

s m atche he su d of t n e e By th

scar tissue P H OTOG R A P H Y B Y YAS M I N A H I L A L

“WHAT HAPPENED HERE?” a boy asks as we lie next to each other on my bed. He traces the scars on my left arm with his fingers with a look of concern that makes me feel vulnerable, but cared for.

I’m a freshman in college, and meeting new people has involved a frequent retelling of how my upper arms came to be covered with scars. This boy and I have hung out once or twice before, but this is the first time that he’s brought up my arms.

I explain to him that on the Fourth of July in 2010, instead of watching fireworks, I spent about three hours in the emergency room. My family and two of my friends spent the holiday in Red Lodge, Montana, where my friends and I would drive all-terrain vehicles through the countryside. After dinner, we were out on the ATVs—I was on one and my friends were on another—and being stupid fifteen-year olds, we started racing one another. I went too fast and missed a turn, driving straight through a barbed wire fence.

A number of miraculous things happened: although the machine flipped over, the curve in the seat prevented the 400lb machine from crushing my legs; the wire cut my chin, just inches above my neck (which in risk of sounding dramatic probably would have killed me); I somehow positioned my arms in a way that protected the rest of my face; and my body went into shock—so I didn’t feel a thing.

The barbed wire cut the outside of my left arm in multiple places, with the deepest cut going all the way through to my triceps muscle, while the wire left one three-inch cut on the inside of my right arm. The wire cut open my chin and ripped apart my gaudy red and white Forever 21 tank (one of the only positive outcomes of the accident).

W R I T T E N B Y M E G A N C AT H E Y

22 | YOURMAG

STYLING: PERI LAPIDUS MODEL: MEGAN CATHEY

ROMANCE | 23

manicurist thought they were dog scratches). After the first day of class my sophomore year, I was talking about the accident with some peers when my history teacher overheard.

He nonchalantly said, “Oh, I thought you cut yourself, but I didn’t want to bring it up.”

I worried that other people assumed my scars were self-inflicted. I don’t believe that self-harm—although destructive—should be a source of shame. But as a fifteen-yearold girl, I was already hyper-aware of what people thought of me—and now I had an extra layer of anxiety to deal with.

The first couple of years after my accident, I was conscientious of how people looked at my scars. People’s eyes would linger too long on my arms and I’d become embarrassed. As a result, I’d make sure to wear tops with sleeves that covered my arms. Considering the severity of the cuts, my scars healed well—but I couldn’t help but hope that one day I’d wake and they would have disappeared over night.

As time went on, I began to think less and less about my scars. As a senior in high school, I only thought of my scars when someone brought them to my attention. While looking at the final edits of my senior portraits, I noticed that the My family and friends spent the rest of the Fourth

photographer had photoshopped my scars out of my photos.

schlepping me to a hospital in Billings, where a plastic sur-

I wasn’t necessarily angry with the photographer—I was just

geon stitched me up. Both my left arm and chin required

taken aback by the fact that she assumed that my scars were

three layers of stitches, resulting in about 100 sutures. After

something to be fixed like red eyes or some stray hairs.

over three hours in the hospital, I was stitched together like

I couldn’t be surprised that the photographer edited out

patches in a quilt. As we drove back to Red Lodge, we could

my scars, considering how society views scars as a kind of

see fireworks off in the distance. The combination of Vico-

“imperfection.” Walk down the skincare aisle of a drug store,

din, exhaustion, and vivid colors of the fireworks made me

and you’ll see countless products that claim to “blur” and

feel as though I were in a dream.

“fade” scars, stretch marks, dark marks, and wrinkles—things

By the end of the summer, I had my stitches removed, and had gone through two tubes of Mederma, a scar treat-

Maybe spending thousands of dollars on laser treat-

ment gel. I spent hours researching online ways to fade scars,

ments and skincare would make my scars less noticeable.

including looking into expensive laser removal procedures.

But for me it’s not worth it. Plus I like to think my scars make

Because I lived in Arizona, where temperatures hover around

me look somewhat like a badass, which I’m definitely not but

105 degrees in July and August, sleeves were out of the ques-

one can dream.

tion. So in desperate attempts to hide my scars, I would dab

Five and a half years after my accident, I often forget

on waterproof concealer, but the makeup never fully cov-

about my scars. They’ve faded considerably since then, but

ered the red and purple markings. At this point in my life,

they’re never going to completely go away. They’re as much

I was already self-conscious about my appearance—I didn’t

a part of me as the bump on my nose or my widow’s peak.

need anything that would bring more attention to myself. I

They’re no longer a source of embarrassment or shame, but

wanted to be invisible, but my scars made that impossible.

that of luck and gratitude. Luck in that the scars were the

People I had never spoken to before would ask me what happened to my arms, (the most ridiculous being when a

24 | YOURMAG

most people have or will acquire throughout their lifetime.

only remainder of the accident, and gratitude for the resilience of my body. YM

beauty

(on a budget)

S

ometimes you run out of your favorite dry shampoo, awesome frizz fighting spray, or any one of your favorite beauty products. It seems as though when you’re in a rush and out of your favorite product, then you’re also out of luck. But fear not, there’s some bizarre products right in your dorm or apartment that can do the trick.

These products work great not only in a pinch, but also on a budget.

W R I T T E N B Y C H L O E WA R F O R D, A R T WO R K B Y P I M P L OY P H O N G S I R I V E C H

ALOE VERA If there’s still some fly-away hairs left after you’ve used a dryer sheet, there’s another product to try. Though summer’s over and you’ve probably stashed away your aloe, pull it back out! Aloe vera gel works great for keeping those small hairs in place. Just be careful when applying—a little goes a long way.

DRYER SHEETS It may be strange to think of laundry products for your hair, but give it a try. Those dryer sheets your mom made you buy can actually come in handy for your frizz.

Since static causes most frizz, the static-fighting powers of any dryer sheet will combat that awful frizz.

COFFEE FILTERS Oil build-up on your face is especially a nightmare when it decides to dismantle your makeup. Fear not, as brewing your morning coffee can also save your face from this oil buildup.

Just take one clean coffee filter and cut it up—one filter can make enough oil blotting sheets for a week. The properties of the coffee filter allow it to soak up the oil on your face quickly and effectively.

VASELINE Perfume makes everyone smell a lot nicer, but what’s not nice is how fast some perfumes can wear off.

A quick fix is rubbing a little bit of Vaseline on your wrists before applying perfume. Because Vaseline blocks air and water, the perfume is able to keep you smelling great for a lot longer.

CORN STARCH Perfume makes everyone smell a lot nicer, but what’s not nice is how fast some perfumes can wear off.

A quick fix is rubbing a little bit of Vaseline on your wrists before applying perfume. Because Vaseline blocks air and water, the perfume is able to keep you smelling great for a lot longer.

FLAT-IRON Finally, if you’re stuck with a wrinkly blouse and you don’t have a clothes iron, your hair straightener can come in handy. Take that flat iron, set it to its lowest heat, and iron those wrinkles right out of your clothes by carefully running them through the flat iron.

This is a great fix for denim, cotton, and other sturdy fabrics, but leave the delicate silks or linens away from it.

ROMANCE | 25

FEMINIST heels WRITTEN BY JULIA WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS GARCIA

C

hristian Louboutin, the famous creator of the ultra sultry red-bottomed heels, did an interview with online tabloid Daily Mail that has since gone viral. In the interview Louboutin states, “What is sexual in a high heel is the arch of the foot, because it is exactly the position of a woman’s foot when she orgasms.

So, by putting your foot in to a heel, you are putting yourself in a possibly orgasmic situation.” Fashion is supposed to help people express who they are, however, after speaking with multiple high heel wearers at Emerson College, the general opinion on Louboutin’s thought process was deemed to be the opposite of that. His statement not only contributes to the patriarchy, but also takes away a woman’s form of expression through wearing high heels.

“I think heels need to be way more about female empowerment than anything,” says Kate Bartel ‘17. Bartel enjoys wearing heels because, like many women, she feels that the shoes enhance her outfit.

“For a man to tell me it’s all about sex and it’s all about orgasms seems so demeaning,” says Bartel. Heels have the power to make a woman feel authoritative and sexy, however, in society’s eyes, these two spaces of being must remain mutually exclusive. Christian Louboutin is contributing to the idea that women are always sexually ready for others.

26 | YOURMAG

”HEELS HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE A WOMAN FEEL AUTHORITATIVE AND SEXY, HOWEVER, IN SOCIETY’S, EYES THESE TWO SPACES OF BEING MUST REMAIN MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.” “Heels can make you feel like such a badass but on the other hand…when I’m wearing heels and I’m walking down the street and I get catcalled, it feels like people are looking at me in a different way, like they are assuming I am asking for something that I am not,” says Sawyer Phillips ‘18. By suggesting that a woman is always in this highly sexual state, Louboutin is removing sexual agency from the woman herself.

The heel can also be viewed as a phallic symbol. Normally a phallic symbol is not seen as a positive image for women, but in this case it can be seen differently. While this is typically the marking of the patriarchy and can be found everywhere you look, it is very rarely found below a woman’s foot.

“I think it is awesome that I am metaphorically stepping on the patriarchy,” says Phillips. Regardless of the misogynistic fire that Louboutin is feeding, women have the right to feel powerful in whatever they wear. Women need to take back their own sexualities one step at a time. As Marilyn Monroe said, “Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world.” YM

&

ideals ROMANCE | 27

arts &craft.

PHOTOGRAPHER: CHRIS GARCIA F E AT U R I N G : SERENA KOO ADAM SETTLAGE ALEXIS HARTER YASLYNN RIVERA

34 | YOURMAG

niche.

WRITTEN BY HALEY SHERIF PHOTOGRAPHY BY SOPHIE PETERS-WILSON

I first came across niche strolling through the South End one weekend. Their cluster of plants caught my eye and I soon found myself contemplating taking home an armful of new plants. It’s a store that not only looks beautiful from the outside, but is also full of intriguing plants, beautiful pots, and is the perfect spot to feed your current succulent addiction. Below is my mini interview with Lindsey Swett owner of niche: urban garden supply.

Haley: Where did the name “niche” originate?

Lindsey: “Niche” stems from every plant having a suitable place, catering to different places (both indoors and out), and ultimately finding the right plant for the right spot.

H: What is one of your favorite plants in the store?

L: The Pepperoni Plant!

H: What is a typical niche client like?

L: Young adults in there early-to mid-twenties looking for a houseplant and/ or feeding their house plant addictions.

H: You have a second store opening up soon. Tell zme a little about it.

L: The second location is by the Seaport. It’s an up-and-coming spot. We are going to be alongside a cluster of food and other little shops. It’s an untouched spot right now, so it’s pretty exciting.

H: What is your advice for a new plant buyer?

L: Take a very good, hard look at the light you’re dealing with and be honest with yourself. Be honest about how much management you want. You need them more then they need you. YM Location: 619 Tremont Street, South End Follow niche on Instagram: @NICHEBOSTON

ROMANCE | 35

Novel Destinations WRITTEN BY RIANA ODIN I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y A L L A I R E C O N T E

‘T

is the season for booking travel destinations.

Whether with friends or family, winter break or spring break, sun or snow, everything you’re looking for in a vacation this year does not have to be at the mercy of uninspired travel websites. Instead of looking for last-minute deals to Cancun, again, you might find some of the best vacation ideas coming from none other than your literature course’s syllabus. Before you leave your books behind, let your novels and their well-traveled authors be your travel guides.

SUN VALLEY LODGE, SUN VALLEY, IDAHO For the ultimate literary ski vacation, book your stay where one of the all-time greats crafted a masterpiece. For years, Sun Valley has been a favorite ski and snowboard destination for dedicated enthusiasts and celebrities alike. It features world-class ski trails and a charming yet upscale village for the skier who has tired of Aspen. Before any paparazzi flashbulbs went off for modern stars, however, the Sun Valley Lodge was a refuge for Ernest Hemingway. In

room 206, Hemingway penned For Whom the Bell Tolls after returning from Cuba with wife Martha Gellhorn. The hotel itself has recently been renovated, but retains the cozy, nostalgic appeal of a grand, traditional lodge. Hemingway’s time spent at the Sun Valley Lodge has made it a tourist destination, where visitors to the area can also ice skate after a day on the slopes. Ask not for whom Sun Valley beckons, it beckons for thee.

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was so beloved, it was cause for a whole modern revival.

When Baz Luhrmann brought to life a third film adaptation in 2013, a slew of Gatsby merchandise came along with it. The novel was originally published in 1925, but its persistent fame can be the refreshing twist your travel plans need. If you’re looking to stay local to the east coast, the breathtaking landscape of one of the world’s most famous love stories is a Zip Car away. Remember Nick Carraway’s depiction of East and West Egg? On a modern map, these

places exist as Great Neck and Port Washington peninsulas in Long Island, New York. To immerse yourself in familiar scenes, however, you need only peruse the glittering landscape that is Newport, Rhode Island. While Luhrmann’s modern adaptation was shot in faraway Australia, director Jack Clayton chose Bellevue Avenue, Newport as the shoot location for Gatsby’s mansion. See where Robert Redford starred in some of the most iconic scenes ever captured, and make it home in time for dinner.

SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP It is often remarked how unique undergraduate vacation time is, what with it being one of the few brief reprieves from responsibility we get to experience in maturity. What better time to embark on a road trip than during college break? Let Flannery O’Connor’s legendary short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” act as your literary GPS. Begin in Georgia and stop in Tennessee on your way to Florida, even if it wasn’t originally planned. Take your cat along

36 | YOURMAG

and be sure to regale the other passengers with tales of infamous outlaws from the area. Let the road trip be the vacation instead of taking the fastest route possible. Stop into questionable diners and take a few dirt roads. With the type of winter weather Boston is known for, there is no better time for car travel in the gentle heat of the South. Just be sure to keep Grandmother at home for this one. YM

Finding Café Harmony

BY MIA ZARRELLA

T

here are people who go to cafés and then there are café goers.

When people go to cafés, they step through the doors, order a drink, slide on a coffee sleeve, and head out the door. Then there is the café goer.

These are the café campers, the coffee connoisseurs, the barista’s best friend. For these people, spending time in a café is a spiritual experience. It’s the most important part of the day, whether it is because it’s the only time they are alone or the only time they can catch up with friends. As a café goer, my goal when I came to Boston was to find a coffeehouse ideal for homework, dates, inspiration, and socializing. Yet, to my knowledge, nothing can be truly all-around perfect, but certain cafés are perfect for certain occasions.

When I walk into The Thinking Cup, it hugs me.

The low ceilings, dim lighting, and inviting decor, make it an intimate spot. It doesn’t have Wi-Fi and the outlets are sparse which can inhibit productivity, but also helps limit distractions from the outside world. TC is a place to be mellow, to write, to read a magazine, to talk, to think. The coziness and selection of delectable delicacies makes it perfect for dates, however, the cramped seating also makes it perfect to be a part of somebody else’s date.

Then there is the bustling Caffè Nero. Because of its justifiable popularity, getting a table is often an issue, but it is still a great place for intimate conversations and for working, especially with free Wi-Fi, booth seating, and large work spaces. Nero’s bookshelves and fireplace provide an at-home feel and the expansive glass windows showcase busy Washington Street and Paramount Theater.

My interest in an intimate, yet invigorating café has strained my relationship with Starbucks and sparked me to venture to new places. New places can inspire new, creative thoughts, which is why I found myself at Render one day. Part of the café is a rustic-styled room enclosed by glass, showcasing beautiful foliage. It almost made me forget that I live in a concrete jungle.

Embracing the concrete jungle is Pavement Coffeehouse. The first time I went to Pavement I spent hours writing and socializing. The welcoming and relatively minimalistic atmosphere is conducive for most occasions, whether alone or with friends.

But possibly an even better gathering space is Boston Common Coffee Company. What it lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for as a work and gathering space. It’s not too swanky, not too crowded, and not too loud. Plus it has free Wi-Fi. Jaho Coffee and Tea’s minimalistic atmosphere and spacious layout lends itself to freeing the mind and simply feeling comfortable and not distracted by the crowd. The cushioned chairs and large work spaces make it a great place for working, meeting with friends, and having a date, especially if you’re old enough to enjoy Jaho’s bar.

Cafés are an excuse: an excuse to get together, an excuse to be alone, an excuse to go outside, to go for a walk. And the beauty of the city is that around every corner there is a new café to try that might be the one that suits your needs the best.

There is comfort in being a regular at a place, and there is beauty in being a regular at multiple places, but there is something special about finding a place you could remain in forever. YM PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPL ASH

STYLE | 37

1 1 0 by 4 0 m i l e s of tr0pical u n c e r ta i n t y

BY ESTHER BLANCO

110 by 40 miles of beautiful sandy beaches, count-

American school, learned English at the same time as I

less palm trees, famous tropical rain forest, mountain

learned Spanish, assimilated with the majority of Amer-

range, and subtropical dry forest, Puerto Rico is nothing

ican culture, and frequently visited the United States. I

short of paradise—it is not called “La Isla del Encanto”

even witnessed many of my close relatives leave to study

(“The Island of Enchantment”) for no reason. Because

or work in the United States, and I never thought of it as

of this vast geographical atmosphere, tourists swarm to

bizarre or unnecessary. It was a sort of right of passage.

the island to forget about freezing temperatures back

Why? Because of Puerto Rico’s commonwealth status.

home, to let loose, and to embrace the Caribbean wor-

By the time I was 12 I began to understand the

ry-free lifestyle (if only!). After one bite of a mofongo (a

concept of “Americanization.” My favorite television

fried plantain dish), the initial shock of the year-round

shows, music, movies, and celebrities were all Amer-

90 degree temperature and the 80 percent humidity

ican. I spoke Spanglish as if it were my first language

factor seem like just a distant memory. Plus, if the un-

and began to view Puerto Rican culture as inferior.

predictable weather ruins your outdoor activities, you

Those who had a similar background to me shared the

can always stay inside and take a gastronomical tour of

sentiment of aspiring to be everything that Americans

all the decadent dishes Puerto Rican cuisine is known

were—successful, happy, wealthy, intelligent, and so on.

for. However fascinating the food and weather is for a

We were encouraged to apply to schools in the United

tourist, as a local it is easy to overlook these charms and

States and told how much better life would be over

focus on the serious issues—the island’s economy and

there. The unceasing “there’s nothing here for you,” “Oh

political status.

no, you shouldn’t stay. Life over there is so much better,”

For the first half of my life, I experienced Puerto Rico at its prime: the economy was good, tourism was

38 | YOURMAG

and “the economy here is fucked,” only fueled my desire to escape the monotony of Puerto Rican life.

buzzing, and American influence was still subtle. I was

When I look back now I notice how from a young

fortunate to grow up in a comfortable environment, with

age I was brought up to admire American culture, so

a family full of intellectuals that would not rest until the

much so that I saw my time in Puerto Rico as transi-

island became a state. From a young age, I attended an

tory and temporary. I even began to feel suffocated by

“I BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF “AMERICANIZATION.” MY FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOWS, MUSIC, MOVIES, AND CELEBRITIES WERE ALL AMERICAN. I SPOKE SPANGLISH AS IF IT WERE MY FIRST LANGUAGE AND BEGAN TO VIEW PUERTO RICAN CULTURE AS INFERIOR.” the lack of options Puerto Rico provided. Whenever I was

wealth and pro-statehood) and the incompetence of the

asked about where I saw myself in the future, I would un-

latest governors has caused Puerto Rico to plummet into an

questionably say places like New York, Washington D.C., or

awful depression that has left many people unemployed and

Chicago, but never San Juan. These cities were glamorous

economically devastated. The constant shift of power from

to me; they had so much more to offer than what I was used

pro-commonwealth leaders to pro-statehood leaders has

to.

created the conditions for a country that is uncertain about My senior year of high school, I applied to all Ameri-

what it truly needs to get back to its days of enchantment.

can schools and was ecstatic that I was getting the heck out

Puerto Rico’s economic and political instability and

of Puerto Rico. But as time went on and graduation grew

enormous debt has caused what was already a growing

near, an unextinguishable fear of leaving my home and my

number of Puerto Ricans who were leaving for the U.S. to

family erupted inside of me. I started questioning my con-

become a mass exodus. These are the Puerto Ricans that

nection with the United States, I became pro-independence,

love their island, but are tired of living in a country that

and I suddenly saw life abroad as a threat to my identity. I

does not progress, that is neither here nor there. They are

had become a living and breathing representation of Puerto

unwilling to contribute time, effort, or money to what they

Rico’s continuous struggle for a defined identity. I had never

consider to be a lost cause. This indifference is the result of

really reflected upon my ethnic identity until it was time to

promises that are never kept, of a community that is unable

leave it behind. I grew up in an unusual environment for

to unify even when what they love the most is at stake, and

a Puerto Rican; my mother is Moroccan and Jewish, and

of how the affair of the island’s status no longer originates

my father is Puerto Rican and Catholic. I was a mix; I was

from a source of love, but from a source of power-plays and

Puerto Rican and Jewish. However, my stomach dropped

politics.

every time I thought of leaving who I was in order to be-

Puerto Rican writer Magali García Ramis summarizes

come what was expected of me, what so many claimed was

the internal struggle of Puerto Ricans in a short essay enti-

the best career choice.

tled “Los cerebros que se van y el corazón que se queda” (“The

Growing up in an environment of uncertainty

Brains that Leave and the Heart that Stays”). In it, García

does not reflect on a person at first, but it starts to show

Ramis explains how the Puerto Rican that immigrates does

when life altering decisions need to be made. My uncer-

so in search of better job opportunities, a more comfortable

tainty generated the fear that later paralyzed and inhibited

lifestyle, and the overall well-being and safety of his or her

me from taking the step of studying in the United States.

family. The idea is founded on Puerto Rico’s idolization of

Ironically, this uncertainty is what later provided me with

the U.S. lifestyle, or “the American Dream”, which includes

the strength to finally take the decision to pursue my

a better education for all, a bigger house for less money, and

dreams. It was an uncertainty brought upon by the worsen-

a change of scenario that creates a feeling of progress and of

ing socio-economic and political situation of Puerto Rico.

a moving forward that Puerto Rico cannot provide. How-

Puerto Rico is like a toddler—at first its relationship

ever, the love of the culture and of the island, the patriotism,

with its mother (the United States) is healthy and beneficial,

and the desire to one day return is moulded into the hearts

but as time goes on the toddler begins to want indepen-

of all that leave. So, while our brains know that leaving

dence from its mother and at the same time experiences

home behind brings the hopes of a more promising future,

separation anxiety when faced with the possibility of it. The

our hearts linger in the sands, looking out at the horizon,

rivalry between two main political parties (pro-common-

promptly waiting for our return.

LIVING | 39

Y N FGUIN RLS THE

T S I N I M E F D N A , S S E L R A E F , Y N N U F

f

ive of Emerson’s most influential and provocative female comedians talk sexism, comedy, and cool moms in a discussion led by self-proclaimed “Uber Queen” writing for Film and Television major, Danielle Shvartsman ‘16. From the sketch world, Kaylin Mahoney ‘17, also a writing for Film and Television major, Theater Studies: Acting, majors, Caroline Ullman ‘16 and Krysten Shmelzer ‘16, and Isabella Boettcher ‘16, who studies Television Production.

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRIS GARCIA

KRYSTEN SCHMELZER, KAYLIN MAHONEY, DANIELLE SHVARTSMAN, ISABELLA BOETTCHER, CAROLINE ULLMAN

Danielle Shvartsman transferred to Emerson College during her junior year. Since then, she’s become a pioneer for comedy at Emerson. She was one of the few to enter Jimmy’s Traveling All-Stars as an upperclassman, opened their first show of the year with her own sketch, united the comedy writers and performers as a community of supportive peers and friends with “Improv Jams,” and more. To many, she is the Queen of Uber, as well as a Master of Karaoke. To me, however, she is a wonderful and beautiful friend. I’ve known Danielle for many years, and I couldn’t think of a better person to feature. She truly doesn’t stop working, even if it’s 3 in the morning and you’re just trying to watch the Whitney Houston biopic and order some Genki Ya in peace. Did I mention she’s trained for several years at The Groundlings Theatre and School in LA? Danielle is an incredible, brilliant person. Her work ethic: prodigious; her sense of humor: ingenious.

Despite that, however, she still manages to make time for friends in her eternally-unlocked shared suite with Catherine Collins, always ready to revolutionize the Karaoke game or eat trash and watch CSI: Cyber. She’s the best, and so when I had the pleasure of sitting down and interviewing her, I of course had to refrain from complete unprofessionalism to see what it is about comedy that makes all the late night rehearsals, writes, and rewrites worth it.

What drives you to deal with the late hours and crazy rehearsals for improv or sketch shows?

What about comedy drives you to, at the end of the day, love all the crazy?

Everything that I’ve done at Emerson and at home has been me trying to find ways to have a shared experience with people… in a way that makes it important. I don’t think I would be able to effectively make a serious film that’s saying serious things about real issues, that’s going to reach people on the same level that jokes do.

What led you to Groundlings, Jimmy’s, and comedy in general?

I guess it started when I was really young, my mom noticed that I did impressions of people.

Like they would walk by and say something, and I would turn to my mom and repeat them and she would be like, “What? Stop being weird.” It was a cool way to bring people on my side. I know there’s kids that can just sit down and talk

Danielle Shvartsman

about current events, but, I wasn’t one of those kids.

I always wanted to be part of everything, so I would always be like, “Hey remember this thing? From this show?” And would do a quick thing, and people always responded well, so I just kept doing it.

What’s the hardest thing about being a woman in comedy?

The biggest thing I’ve had to get over—and this also a very female thing to do—you would have to wait for people to finish speaking before you can, and there’s always a feeling of not wanting to overstep. You want to be a good scene partner, and you want to be respectful of the other person, especially in improv. And usually I was pretty good at getting my thing in, because I know that it looks bad if you don’t, but there have been a few times, particularly in scenes with men, to be honest, where I’ve just been so worried about being a good scene partner and not taking up too much room on stage and whatever. And one time my teacher was like, “Danielle—you have to get in there. You usually don’t have a problem, what’s going on?” And it was just like, I didn’t want to bulldoze over other people, and getting over that has been so hard, because it keeps you from saying stuff. And I just don’t really feel that way anymore.”

LIVING | 41

KRYSTEN SCHMELZER Krysten recently transferred to Emerson has done more in her three semesters at Emerson than most have during their entire four years.

First, she joined This is Pathetic, Emerson’s long-form improv comedy troupe. Now she’s their Vice President. Additionally, she’s performed in “Sketchup,” “After School Special,” and several theater productions. She’s also one of the writers of the EVVYs Gala. While Krysten’s incredibly accomplished, she’s also one of the most sincere people around. Her infectious smile and comedic skill illuminate any room she enters, whether or not she’s performing.

KAYLIN MAHONEY Kaylin is a true polymath of comedy, as she is a member of Jimmy’s Traveling All-Stars, host of Breaking News, writer for Closing Time, and a writer/performer on “Sketchup.” And this has all happened in Kaylin’s first semester at Emerson. Needless to say, Kaylin is a machine.

She comes from four years of training at The Groundlings Theatre and School as well as The Upright Citizen’s Brigade. And, because why stop there, Kaylin also is a member of two improv teams in LA. She does a wicked 40-year-old mother impression, loves a good flannel, and is also an Olympic runner. Like I said, the girl is a machine, and is truly the Little Sebastian of transfer students.

ISABELLA BOETTCHER Isabella is one of those people who somehow seems to be everywhere at once, almost always in charge, and always a delight to be around. She’s funny, she’s brilliant, and she’s exactly the kind of person you want to be around and emulate, whether she’s on or behind the stage. On stage, you can find her performing in SwoMo, a short-form improv troupe that also produces an original play every semester. Aside from that, she balances her time as Creative Content Executive Producer of the EVVYs, Executive Producer of “Closing Time,” and Director of “Breaking News.” Impressed? Intimidated?

Good. You should be.

CAROLINE ULLMAN Caroline Ullman dabbled in comedy with The Second City in Chicago when she was 9. Now, she is the president of The Girlie Project at Emerson, of which she has been a member of since her freshman year. Whether she’s writing or performing in Girlie, “After School Special,” or directing theater productions, Caroline remains a fierce advocate for women, noticeable in her sharp and provocative writing. If anyone in this group is a maverick, it is she. She works hard, stays confident, and is always looking for ways to critique and better comedy for comedians and audiences alike. Get to know her while you still can, because, like the rest of these comedians, “She’s--She’s going places!”

42 | YOURMAG

Danielle Shvartsman: What’s the best thing about being a woman in comedy?

Caroline Ullman: For me, it’s getting the chance to defy all the stereotypes. There are so many generalizations about women having a specific type of humor, or not thinking certain things are funny, and I love being in an environment where I can express my opinions in the realm of comedy.

Kaylin Mahoney: I like performing big characters who are super confident. Playing that energy is stupid fun— it forces me to manipulate my physicality in banana ways, speak with looney voices, and wear obnoxious costumes. Best part about all of that is wigs.

Isabella Boettcher: Within Emerson, I’d say we’re in a really awesome place with comedy right now—particularly as a women in comedy. For a while, I feel like things were a little male dominated, but in the past two years or so, there’s been this really big shift. I’m trying to nail down why, and I think it’s this: we have some pretty great examples of strong female comedians floating around in pop culture right now. I think that Tig Notaro, Leslie Jones, and Tina Fey are why we are seeing more and more female comedians at Emerson.

vival, so finally now we’re given the opportunity to take a step back and realize that it’s no longer necessary.

We’re slowly starting to see not only respect for funny women, but a celebration of them. We’re in a really cool time.

IB: We’re seeing more kinds of women now. It feels like a sketch: A producer walks into a board room and is like, we’ve discovered more types of women! We should feature them huh? And everyone’s jaws drop.

DS: Yes! There’s so much content now that’s made by and for women. The public wants the V! CU: Yes! Women’s roles were only stereotypes until now.

The public wants the V! DS: It’s about societal roles too. You can play a mom and still have an amazing, dynamic character.

KM: I shouldn’t have to play a dude to have character range!

IB: And most of the moms on TV are total badasses.

DS: Cool moms.

IB: A new stereotype emerges.

CU: Oh my god, same thing as Isabella.

CU: Cool moms are the new thing.

IB: It’s not about females taking over, it’s just that we’ve all been waiting around for a while. Slowly stewing.

Ready to be served. Okay, that sounds really weird but you know what I mean? In a weird way, feeling like we keep having to prove ourselves makes us better comedians, because our work is more thoughtful and well crafted. We know how much it matters.

KM: As a lady and new transfer student, I have no complaints. Everyone’s welcomed me and my dumb jokes with open arms and wet kisses. There are a million opportunities for me and other women to write, perform,etc. It’s magic. And I attribute that huge sense of eager acceptance to the many women that hold student positions of authority here.

Krysten Shmelzer: I absolutely agree with you all. When I transferred here last fall I had no idea that I wanted to do comedy. But joining Pathetic was one of the best things to happen to me here. It’s an equal playing field in that group. We all want to see each other grow and hear what each other has to say, which is hard to come by and definitely not the norm at many other places.

DS: I would say too that this, being this group of friends and peers, is a really supportive environment in general. For a long time, women were forced to fight for everything. We were pitted against each other for sur-

DS: I’ve been playing a lot of moms lately and they’ve all been so diverse and fun. I’m excited that now we can have a woman play president and it’s not the joke anymore, because previously, that was the joke and that sucked.

KS: It’s a great time for female comics here, but with that said, I feel there’s still a lot of work to be done. I would love to see a lot more diversity in the groups on campus too.

IB: I totally agree Krysten. There really isn’t enough diversity in Emerson comedy. We have women, let’s get some diversity in here! It’s crazy how comedy in general is lackluster in diversity.

DS: My qualm last year was that the comedy community was not very inclusive and it’s getting better with every semester.

KS: Exactly! Comedy is so great because it’s universal.

I’d love to see it open up even further and hear different perspectives. That’s what will help the comedy community to grow at Emerson and in general.

DS: It’s so true! More perspectives equals more fun times for everyone. YM LIVING | 43

Your Things WITH HALEY SHERIF

THIS MONTH I’M FEATURING YOUR MAG ART DIRECTOR PIMPLOY PHONGSIRIVECH’S FAVORITE THINGS My turtleneck(s) I grew up in Thailand. The coldest

it gets over there is 70 degrees so when I moved here I became obsessed with fall clothes, espe-

into looking like I got hit by the T. The cap helps.

cially turtlenecks. I’ve developed a soft spot for

My Muji pens O.K., I’m a pen snob but I stand by

(@champagnepapi).

fucking life-changing. Stop judging and try one.

turtlenecks and for people who can pull them off

my babies (Muji Gel­Ink Ballpoint 0.38mm)–they’re

My wristwatch My dad wore this for almost thirty

­Do you collect anything? If so, what? Sort of. I col-

and the hands won’t move: it’s cute but exasperat-

tries I’ve traveled to. I also collect the ones from

years. It’s set on Thai time because the knob is stuck ing because I carry a bit of home everywhere I go, but every time I look at my watch I have to subtract a bunch of hours.

My easel Anything I draw, paint or make looks ten

times better when it’s sitting on my easel. For that it holds a special place in my heart.

lect coffee shop loyalty cards from cities and councafes I frequent just to keep track of how much coffee I’m consuming. It’s a lot.

­What's the last thing you bought? A massive commuter backpack. I look like I’m in middle school

and about to go on a field trip, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

My pot This pot has been without a plant for two

­What's on your wish list? I’m a fan of really, really,

is a reminder of what could be if only I had my life

drown in. YM

years. I’m not great at looking after things and this together. I’m optimistic. It’ll happen someday.

44 | YOURMAG

My cap I have 8 a.m. classes, most of which I walk

really big scarves. They’re cozy. I want one I can

ILLUSTRATIONS BY PIMPLOY PHONGSIRIVECH

A Revolutionary Masterpiece

BY CL AIRE TORRES

WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT HAMILTON, I didn’t think I would really get into it.

“It’s a musical about Alexander Hamilton?” I asked my roommate, who’d been humming the opening song nonstop for three days. “Like, the guy on the 10 dollar bill?”

She caught the skepticism in my tone. “I know that sounds super boring,” she pleaded. “I promise it’s really interesting! It’s a hip-hop musical! Thomas Jefferson raps in it! And there’s women!”

This didn’t really change my mind. Even though I like history, I didn’t think I would find Hamilton interesting, and I wasn’t a big fan of rap. After no less than six different people asked “Have you listened to Hamilton yet?” I gave it a try. The whole album was up on Spotify, and Genuis.com had all the lyrics, annotated to help me follow along. I was ready to hear about Alexander Hamilton’s life (probably more than I’d ever cared to know).

I regret waiting that long. I feel like Hamilton changed my life. No wonder so many people had asked me if I’d listened to it—I’m now constantly doing the same. I play the music while doing homework, walking to class, or hanging with friends. And I’m desperate for tickets.

Hamilton has become the hottest show on Broadway.

The idea for the musical started when writer and composer Lin Manuel Miranda (composer and writer of In The Heights) picked up a comprehensive 800 page biography about Alexander Hamilton while on vacation. It might sound crazy, but Miranda was inspired by the founding father’s highly debated life and interestingly, the idea that you have no control over how you get portrayed. Six years later, Hamilton premiered off-Broadway in February 2015, and moved to Broadway in August.

Before this musical, Alexander Hamilton wasn’t exactly a well-known founding father.

While Washington and Jefferson are well-known names, Hamilton is usually just “that guy on the ten dollar bill.” He isn’t deeply discussed in most history books and there are almost no movies about him. A lot of this anonymity can be attributed to what people did to his reputation (a theme discussed throughout the entire musical).

Miranda found the charm in Hamilton’s life, however. He pulled out the humanity, the rebellion, and the snark that made Hamilton an interesting person, not just a stuffy founding father.

Sure, Hamilton had flaws, just like everyone has flaws, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a person, and that’s what Miranda wanted to show in this musical.

46 | YOURMAG

The opening song, “Alexander Hamilton”, sets up the idea for the entire musical: How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore […] grow up to be a hero and a scholar? The rest of the

doing whatever is needed, no matter how immoral it may be.

Hey yo, I’m just like my country / I’m young, scrappy and hungry / And I’m not throwing away my shot

opening song tells of the misfortunes of young Alexander Ham-

Writing, literature, and publishing major Danny Diaz ‘16,

ilton’s life—his poverty, his mother’s illness, his absent father—

who saw Hamilton on Broadway says, “I was in the nosebleeds

and how these problems would have crushed a lesser man, but

but I could still see everything about the characters. All of the

only made Hamilton more determined to have a real future.

actors’ energy was infectious.” In this musical, the actors are just

My name is Alexander Hamilton / And there’s a million things I haven’t done / But just you wait, just you wait

as important as the story—Miranda’s cast is almost entirely black and Latino, despite history telling us rather adamantly that the

The next song, “Aaron Burr, Sir” starts with Hamilton seek-

founding fathers were white. He seems to say who cares? These

ing out Aaron Burr in the summer of 1776 for advice on finishing

people were immigrants, and white children shouldn’t be the

college early. Hamilton proves his worth as a great writer and a

only people to see their face in history. Diaz continues, “Both

great thinker, and joins the revolution. Anxious to break away

the lyrics and the casting reinforces this idea that America was

from King George III, Hamilton and his friends advocate for

made by immigrants and we shouldn’t forget it.” This produc-

freedom and eventually come to fight in the Revolutionary War.

tion is something completely different to anything that’s been on

Hamilton is desperate for the command of troops, knowing that

Broadway before.

war is the one place where an immigrant bastard orphan can rise

There’s more to Hamilton than just Alexander Hamilton,

above his rank and prove his worth. The act ends as the Revolutionary War ends and the founding fathers build the new country.

The second act mostly focuses on the creation of a new government. The men who fought in the Revolutionary War for a new country must now figure out a way to run it. Hamilton is named Secretary of the

however. This isn’t even a musical about

“MIRANDA USES ALEXANDER HAMILTON AS THE VESSEL TO TELL THE STORY ABOUT THE RISE OF A COUNTRY THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LAY CLAIM TO.”

Treasury and does his best to create this

Hamilton, really. Miranda just uses Alexander Hamilton as the vessel to tell the story about the rise of a country that everyone should be able to lay claim to. The musical asks us to remember the great things about our nation and the people who made them great—just passionate young people who live and die.

new nation. He constantly fights with—actually, has rap battles

The entire musical constantly asks us how the underdog can

with—Thomas Jefferson, over the state of their new country.

rise up. How did a penniless immigrant help found a nation?

The second act has us see Hamilton work tirelessly to further

How did a downtrodden starving army beat England? How did

the nation, disagree with presidents, and become embroiled in

these men create a country from essentially nothing? And per-

political and personal scandal. Eventually, we come to his death.

haps, most importantly, what will people remember of you when

But Hamilton is more than just a beautiful retelling of a

you’re gone?

founding father’s life. The medium used to tell this story is an

Let me tell you what I wished I’d known / When I was young

incredible mix of rap, hip-hop, and pop. It’s certainly not built

and dreamed of glory: / You have no control / Who lives, who dies

like a traditional musical, either—there’s no overture to reprise.

/ who tells your story

Instead, certain lines and lyrics crisscross through each song,

That alone would have been enough to pull me in. I’m a

constantly reminding us that each scene is not independent of

sucker for musicals where the characters hope that what they do

the others, and that each moment in life cannot live on its own.

today will be remembered in a hundred years. That’s what makes

And even though the founding fathers say “bro” and “who

this musical such an incredible link to today. Yes, it features his-

the f – is this” and, rather hilariously, “oh my god, tear this dude

torical figures but these characters worry about the same things

apart,” this is not a modern day retelling. The founding fathers

people struggle with today: the idea of being content with their

are wearing traditional revolutionary war era clothing, sport-

country, the idea of a lasting legacy, the vague idea of success.

ing breeches instead of jeans, but they’re using today’s slang. It

Hamilton is a historical musical about the making of Amer-

makes for an interesting juxtaposition. Sure, these are historical

ica. But it’s also a story about people in America now, every day,

figures, but if you close your eyes, this could be any set of young

looking for a way to make this country better, to make people’s

revolutionaries right now trying to build a great country and

lives better, and looking for a way to be remembered in history. YM

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | 47

Hunter Yvonne Harris noun /Húntër Hårrîs/ A fiery black woman with no patience for pseudo intellectuals or white boys with bad posture.

Former Oklahoma hoodrat, future Oprah Winfrey, current bad bitch seeking a full-time intern and/or boyfriend. (Degree from Harvard is a prerequisite, 6’5 is preferable).

HUNTER YVONNE HARRIS JOURNALISM ‘16

BY PEYTON DIX

Your favorite black girl sippin’ white wine (yes, she finally turned twenty-fun) has spent summers, springs, and falls interning for magazines like Boston Magazine, O Magazine, The Observer, and The Week. Hunter Harris is easily on her way to becoming a household name.

If she’s not busy getting ignorantly mistaken for me, she spends her time up until 2:00 a.m. filtering through various articles as the Managing Editor of The Berkeley Beacon, or listening to/lusting after Chance the Rapper while perfecting her caramel complexion with overpriced facial cleansing masques (shout out to Glossier, Lush and Aesop—just kidding she only takes the free samples). Accomplishments come easy to Harris, throwing shade even easier. Her resume is brimming with all signs that point North (both in reference to the “stars” and the child of the man that you would think helped raise her). Harris tells me, “the truest thing I’ve ever heard anyone say about me is that I would write an analysis of the racial politics of the Big Momma’s House trilogy and think it’s cool”.

emerson

spot

48 | YOURMAG

VMA major Jabari Canada ‘16 is far from your average film student. Not only is he extremely down-to-earth and charming, but his talent and commitment to film know no bounds.

Currently, Jabari is in the middle of filming his BFA thesis, returning home every three weekends to film.

Fusing together both a personal and political narrative, Jabari returns home to Maryland to “chronicle the life of [his] 27-year old cousin, Jeff, an aspiring rapper struggling with the harsh realities that face suburban Black millennials in our nation’s capital.”Jabari’s film production skills are highly coveted, as his resume boasts previous employers such as Goldman Sachs, Frontline, and UN based agencies. While his accomplishments may intimidate you, Jabari is incredibly genuine and kind, and is always willing to dive deep into conversation. To say Jabari is multi-faceted is an understatement, with his interests ranging from physics to mediation. Odds are that you know someone who knows Jabari, as his magnetic presence follows him where ever he goes.

After graduation, he plans on working in documentary film productions for either Vice or Frontline. Regardless of the company or client, whoever hires or let alone meets Jabari, should consider themselves very fortunate. Watch out for this guy, he is on to big things.

JABARI CANADA VMA ‘16

BY LINDSEY MCFADDEN (PHOTOGRAPHY BY SABRINA ORTIZ)

light PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS GARCIA

MARTY MILLER COMMUNICATIONS ‘17

BY PEYTON DIX

His spirit animal is a giraffe, he sings a solid Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On”, and he’s the host of the 35th annual EVVY Awards. Marty Miller everybody, the man, the myth, the legend (and the boy with the best left leg splits). Miller has a wide range of both involvements and accomplishments, including but not limited to, being an integral member or Jimmy’s Traveling All- Stars and movement collective, Paradise Lost, both of which he speaks to saying, “I’ve learned more and had more fun than I could have ever imagined.” You may find him dressed to the nines while working in the costume shop, or seeking to stunt on Sam Geoghegan or “the boy with the hair and maroon pants who refuses to make eye contact with me.” Wherever he is, his face is one that’s consistently a pleasure to see. He self-describes as “confident, engaged, and smiley” all of which are wildly accurate. His energy is infectious, his assorted talents inspirational, and his flare for fashion paired with his rugged good looks are all to die for. It is no wonder he was a shoein to be the host of this year’s EVVY Awards. Upon receiving the phone call from the producers announcing his position, Miller “straight up lost it”. After screaming, crying, smiling, punching his ceiling and calling his mother, he gave his freshman year self a huge high-five. “To be honest it still feels a little unreal” he says. We asked Miller where he ideally sees himself in 10 years and his answer was gold.

“Best case scenario my Netflix original series starring myself and all my talented friends will be coming out just after I hosted the Oscars, wrote a book, married the first gay president, made everyone smile, and changed the world!”

You would say this, but you will also very likely do just that. First the EVVYs, then the Oscars.

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Marketing communications major Shekinah-Glory Beepat ‘16 is the hardest working person I know. She wakes up at 4 a.m., I’m sure is an absolute delight at work, goes to her internship (and slays, I’m sure), attends class (where she oftentimes teaches), and then runs several major student organizations. What she’s done specifically with Emerson College’s American Marketing Association (AMA) is important. The AMA Shekinah joined her freshman year versus the AMA she is the president of now are complete opposites. Today, it is an incredible organization, led by an eccentric and industrious executive board handpicked by Shekinah, united the love for marketing, advertising, design, and our hero, Shekinah-Glory. The only thing Shekinah ever failed at was having a lazy day.

Beneath these accomplishments, and the many more she’s worked for (seriously, ask her for a resume and immediately feel as monstrously intimidated and proud as I do) she is the happiest and most sincere person I know. She takes care of her friends, constantly looks for new ways to challenge herself and those around her and simply epitomizes selflessness in a way I don’t think anyone else could. I frequently liken her to Leslie Knope, with the only difference being that Shekinah is real. She’s a hustling networker, a spice-loving chef, a Ted Talk scholar, a student leader, and a powerhouse worth a million spotlights. YM

SHEKINAH GLORY-BEEPAT MARKETING ‘16

BY CHRIS GARCIA

light

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE VEGA

ROSKO GREEN

BY RIANA ODIN

I

t’s the end of summer on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, but Friday evening on East Houston Street is just picking up. Crowds roam the sidewalks while Ubers and the last remaining taxis compete for dominance in a honking, brake-screeching line of traffic. Between them, the low grumble

of skateboard wheels weave serpentine along tired concrete.

A line is beginning to form at the mythical Mercury Lounge for whatever band might be the next to make their start on that legendary stage. But a few blocks down, in the unassuming and almost missable Parkside Lounge, a real talent is halfway through a set in the backroom. Beyond the dive-bar front, with its pool table and floor sticky with discount beer, Rosko Green plays to an intimate crowd.

The place is barely lit, save for the burnt glow of the bar’s neon signs. A light is set on the lead singer, a skinny 24-year-old in a short sleeve button-down and cuffed pants, backwards hat and Vans.

His wire-wrapped crystal necklace is a subtle indicator of his off-the-beaten-path lifestyle, one which can be glimpsed in fleeting moments of most songs. The drums kick in with a thundering torrent of beat that refuses to be ignored. A movement at stage left and the lithe, seemingly knuckle-less fingers at work on the lengthy neck of a bass guitar catch the light. Though the crowd is meager, less than fifty

people at most—and likely comprised mainly or which in earlier years had gone by Rosko Taint. fully of family, friends, and friends of friends— Because each of the members has remained in it adds to a very specific emotion brought out the southern Connecticut area, this leaves the by the performance. Despite a distinct lack of group only about an hour and change from New authority to say so, I was overwhelmed by a York City, where they perform once a month satisfying sense of exclusivity; by an instinctive at venues scattered throughout Manhattan knowingness that this band will “make it,” and and Brooklyn. Moss, who has also co-founded in turn such an audience, and such an audience brain-powering Focus7 drink shots, acts as

Songs to put on your playlist: Blood and Tears, Ouch, Everything’s Alright, Thick Skin, Blood Sacrifice.

experience, will only be available in the future booking manager for the band to coordinate to read about. Like Springsteen’s career-defin- these gigs. But it is Abelow who has final say on ing 1975 run at the Bottom Line or the Grate- all things Rosko Green. ful Dead’s acid-test gigs in the mid ‘60s, I could

Onstage at his July 2015 gig at Freddy’s Bar

not help but wonder if a night like this would in Brooklyn, Abelow joked of a resemblance to be what biographers and impassioned bloggers John Mayer. While his songs have the docile, rowould one day reference as history being made. mantic appeal of Mayer’s music, Rosko Green is It is hardly surprising that a Rosko Green better likened to the cool, vintage edge of Jackie show would provoke thoughts of that era in Greene or San Francisco’s Tea Leaf Green. As for musical history. With its careful arrangement of Abelow himself, I personally cannot support a smooth vocals, lively drums, and complicated John Mayer comparison in the least. guitar melodies, Rosko Green, under Samuel

Two weeks after his Parkside Lounge show,

Arthur Abelow’s creative vision, is a refreshing I sat down with Abelow in his studio. With the infusion of the glorious rock and roll past—one help of his highly supportive family, he has inwhich is quickly being swallowed by comput- stalled top of the line equipment in the basement er-generated bass drops and commercialized pop of his parents’ Westport, Connecticut home. The stars. Abelow’s music—available free of charge space functions as a multi-faceted recording on Spotify, Youtube, RoskoGreen.com, and in studio and overall artistic space, where Rosko EP form—is the soulful contemporary rock that Green and others can record. In this way, the has seemed to disappear from the mainstream in studio acts as a source of income and a means of recent years. It calls back to a time when a band fulfilling his own creative needs—of which there was a group of people brought together by mutual are many. To call him only a singer/songwriter love of music and the ability to create it—without and musician would be a complete oversight. As seeming overly cliché or sappy.

is showcased on his website, Facebook page, and

For Abelow, 24, these people are bassist even during the Parkside Lounge performance, Jeff Moss and drummer Josh Rauh, also 24. The Abelow is a gifted painter and performer. He three of them have known each other since at- immerses himself in a range of art mediums, tending Staples High School in their hometown from drawing and photography to poetry and of Westport, Connecticut. Abelow had initially yoga—and pursues each with the kind of unbrigone off to the City College of New York to study dled passion that few people allow themselves or the production side of music. After two years as are able to achieve. He has recently put together a Sonic Arts major, he realized he was on the a music video for his song “Thick Skin” and the wrong side of the recording studio and left to insignia “<333” of his clothing line, Triple Three commit his time and tuition money to the full- Clothing, which was launched in 2014, can be scale pursuit of musical greatness. He pulled seen on many of the audience members at any in Rauh and later Moss, to form Rosko Green, given show. YM

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | 53

t h e

trap music

O R C H

WRITTEN BY PEYTON DIX, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL THORPE

I

t’s 2:45 p.m. on a Sunday, “Care Taker”

the collaboration as the director and

by D.R.A.M. thuds from the speakers

composer, “accidentally started walk-

in Studio 8, as more members of the

ing around, running (his) mouth.”

Trap Music Orchestra swagger into

Although the group is still young,

the room. There is an immediate shift

both in age and in origin, it is hard to

in the energy once the studio is brim-

tell. The gigs they’ve lined up have al-

ming with twenty bandmates, clad in

ready been absolutely reckless. “We

all black, cracking jokes and piecing

shaved someone’s head. Can that go on

together their individual instruments

record?” Alonzo Demetrius, 20, trum-

in preparation for their photo-ops.

pet player, recalls from their Caf show

Simone, 20, manager, vocalist, vision-

in July. Ryan even remembers, “at the

ary, and natural leader, lets her well-or-

second Urbano gig there were people

chestrated Soundcloud play; each song

popping pills and doing all sorts of

is occasionally accompanied by the pi-

shit.” So if you wondered why “lit” was

ano or saxophone. The feeling of family

the first adjective chosen to describe

is palpable and immediately there is a

Trap, you now know why. From shut-

sensation of home.

ting down Newbury Street, to lighting

“Lit, squad, and skrrt” were the

up MIT, The Trap Music Orchestra is

three words unanimously chosen as the

and “Knuck If You Buck” by Crime Mob

ones that encompass The Trap Music

ft. Lil’ Scrappy because it’s practically

Orchestra: a twenty-two man group

their theme song.

no newbie to fucking shit up.

With weekly mandatory meetings and constant collaboration, there is

rooted in improvisational jazz, who’ve

Warning: their genuinely raw en-

a largely methodical element to their

gained their footing covering famous

ergy, innate musicality, and indisput-

preparation for performances. The

trap songs. The three songs they chose

able love for one another are just a few

strategic constituent of their work is

to describe themselves were “Social

reasons why they are about to be your

fostered in their ability to adapt and

Network (Gang)” by Hurt Everybody ft.

future favorite movement. The genesis

accompany one another on the spot.

Mick Jenkins, “March to the Guillotine

of the group began in September 2014

By applying rehearsed and structured

(March Au Scaffold)” by Hector Berlioz,

when Ryan Easter, 23, who spearheaded

values to their art form, they are able to

54 | YOURMAG

“A LITTLE TOO SAVAGE TO ACT ACCORDINGLY”

estra easily trust one another when extem-

task no matter what the context, and

room when the idea of graduation

porizing. “Having a group that’s rooted

obviously a music career is more than

approached. But as a new group and

in jazz music, which is an improvisa-

just a week-long group project. A full

one that is already becoming quickly

tional art already, sometimes the audi-

functioning group this size, working at

well-established, worries are actually

ence doesn’t know what’s going to hap-

this particular capacity, is something

quite slim. If you’re really wondering

pen, sometimes we don’t know what’s

you scarcely see. What makes them

the secret to sticking together, look no

going to happen…we have a general

original is also one of their greatest

further than your nearest IHOP. “On

skeleton but the flesh and blood really

challenges: with only one member from

a super serious note I think one of the

comes out when we’re on stage,” says

Boston, silence momentarily filled the

things we love about each other is that

vocalist Hunter LaMar, 20.

Ryan follows Hunter stating, “Sometimes it takes the entire per-

we all fuck with some waffles. Dead ass,” Hunter remarks. “Yeah, IHOP is always the wave,” Simone chimes in.

formance to be able to accept what

Ryan poignantly wraps up the

happened in front of them…we’re not

sentiment saying, “I’ve been saying

easily accessible for most people, be it

from the jump that the most important

out of the size we are or just our ap-

thing about this band is keeping the

proach to music in general. Sure it may

idea of a band alive...because this idea

be trap music but it’s in a different lan-

is bigger than anybody and the thing

guage most people are used to.” Their

that’s kept us together is that notion

band yields a space that positively fus-

itself.” Their worries are few and their

es two worlds that are usually thought

potential is large, their fan base grows

to contrast one another. Their music

as does their ability to grow with one

provides a new space and sound for

another. Whether it be their mutual

audience members to dually process

love for waffles or being well-versed

both the freedom and energy of trap

in various genres of music, The Trap

music alongside the structure of a jazz-

Music Orchestra is a full-fledged fam-

like orchestra.

ily on their way to becoming the next

Working with others is a difficult

big name. YM

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT | 55

Artist’s Statement HILTON DRESDEN WRITING, LITERATURE & PUBLISHING ‘15

I’m a person whose neutral state of being is really fucking stressed out and anxious and frantically racing from thought to thought. It gets worse when I have to sit still in one place, like in class or at work. So I draw to calm down. It’s the only time all day I feel peaceful. Drawing for me is like what I think sex is for some people, or alcohol, or pasta. It’s not that I don’t love all of those things, because I absolutely do, but none of them give me a feeling of purpose and productivity and self-worth like drawing does.

I mostly draw people in clothes. I like to draw made-up famous people on made-up magazine covers and made-up photo shoots. I also like to draw made-up famous people getting their photo snapped on made-up red carpets. I draw women way, way more often than I draw men. In class, most of my doodles are women in dresses, or part-naked, or just pictures of their faces and hair. But I draw men, too. I usually just draw people straight out of my head—characters that I’ve been thinking about that I want to visualize.

In high school I would come home from school or play rehearsal and spend hours drawing the men and women I saw in ads for Dolce & Gabbana, and Calvin Klein, and Versace, where the men are mostly oiled and shirtless and the women are mostly legs and lips. I didn’t even realize then that I was just as much doing it for the soft-core porn as for the anatomy study.

But I like drawing models. I know they aren’t an accurate representation of the human body, but the people I draw come from heightened realities.

I like drawing weird people too. People with flaws, minor or major. Sometimes I draw really obese people, or people with only one arm. Usually they only have one arm because I get lazy and don’t feel like drawing both.

I draw creepy people a lot. People without irises or pupils, or with extra large eyes, or razor-sharp cheekbones, or ethereal, skeletal bodies and wild, fantastic outfits.

The other day I was sitting at the welcome desk and I drew a creepy guy with an amazing jacket that I imagine would be crushed green velvet in real life. That drawing, as well as my friend Magi Calcagne ‘17, inspired me to see if I could start combining my passion for visual art with my passion for comedy. I want to draw weird cartoon images with funny captions that are fun to look at and laugh at. That’s my next project.

The drawings included here are mostly ideas I’ve had for menswear. I wanted to do a fashion show full of queer looks. When I go to department stores I’m always astounded at how little variety there is in men’s clothing as opposed to women’s. I’m writing a thesis about why there’s such a disparity between men’s and women’s fashion. Originally the fashion show was supposed to be part of the thesis, but I got lazy so now I just have these detailed sketches of outfits I intended to create but never did.