Zipped Magazine 2020

DOWN. D-

DOWN. D-

RIPPE ST

RIPPE ST

Jillian Dembs Ray Dilawri Esther Diza Liv Doe Harrison Mayesh Anna Morello Molly Scheuer Abby Cheng Heni Danson William Khabbaz Liv Pines Joelle Schneider Chloe Scopa Audrey Chen Vera Zhou

Adelle Wade Aspen Taylor Ava Notkin Troy Parks Kelly Chang Joelle Josette Zuzanna Mlynarczyk Special Thanks to Jes Robinson & Justin Burns

CONTRIBUTORS

Lauren Hurwitz Abby Fritz Jordan Clewner Julia Lawrence Kristiana Morell Elizabeth Goldish Ashley Watchfogel Zack Robinson Isabella Alvarez Fjolla Arifi George Hashemi Kate Regan Nina Bridges Bianca Franco Izzy Madover Eva Suppa Malia Rivere Yasi Akyurek Madi Bauman Jennie Bull

Isolation Identity Creation

we are independent. the opinions expressed are not those of Syracuse University or the student body.

06 08 10 Isolation in Quarantine vera on culture shock

Cottagecore the good and bad of a fairytale tend

Conscious Self-Care in Quarantine time for rest, relaxation, and reflection

12 14 16 Identity in Quarantine a on gender

Natural in Nudes the raw, candid, and unfiltered reality

Queer, Black, and Fashion Obsessed jacorey moon talks fashion

18 20 24

Creation in Quarantine studying fashion during a pandemic

Q&A with Coverstar Appleby tennis player turned musician

Fashion is a Privilege how classism keeps fashion inaccessible

ISOLATION IN QUARANTINE

2020

Isolation: the feeling of being separated from everyone and everything else. No wonder it starts with the letter “I,” this word literally shouts me, myself, and I. I believe most people have encountered some of these moments throughout their life — I am no exception.

At the age of 16, I decided to leave my home country, family, and friends to study abroad in America. I have always been an independent kid, so the idea of moving to a new country never really scared me. There was not one second that I wanted to chicken out. I still remember the thrill and excitement I had a couple of weeks before I left China. I was dreaming about Hollywood, The Big Apple, and mostly the freedom that I would have from being away from my parents. The future is unknown, but that’s the most fascinating part, isn’t it?

This feeling of excitement lasted until the day I departed. It was a hot and humid summer day in 2014. I don’t remember many details, but there’s one moment I still remember clearly. It was my turn to board and had to say goodbye to my family in the airport lounge. I hugged my whole family and said a quick goodbye, then I gave them the biggest smile and said, “I will be ok!” I quickly walked straight to the gate, scared of looking back to see the tears in their eyes. At that moment, the thrill suddenly disappeared because the idea of being physically separated from the people I loved finally crept in. That feeling was so strong and heavy that the minute I was out of their sight I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.

The sadness I had from being physically isolated quickly went away after I arrived in America. I made some friends and my host family at that time was just like my real family. However, as days went by, this feeling evolved into mental isolation.

I was isolated from my culture. Being thrown into a whole new culture is a pretty weird experience. I felt like there’s nothing wrong with my life but at the same time everything is just not right. There weren’t random Chinese pop songs playing on the radio, no one had heard of the city I come from or knew how to pronounce my name correctly. Every Chinese restaurant was giving out this thing called a fortune cookie, which I had never seen in my life before. It almost felt like a part of me died. I gradually shut myself down because I didn’t want people to know I am vulnerable, to know I am afraid to embrace my differences. I was surrounded by people but I felt so lonely.

Then here we are, the year 2020.

Just when I have finally gotten pretty familiar and comfortable with being isolated from my family and culture, COVID hit. Thanks to coronavirus, isolation has become the keyword. With the virus rampant and the lockdown order spread across the world, many people, including myself, have experienced isolation from the people they love and care for. The word “social distancing” is everywhere and it is making me exhausted.

This time, my experience is different from any isolation I have faced before, because many people across the globe are going through it with me. It is an isolation, but everyone is in this together. The isolation I have faced before can be fixed by phone calls with my family, quality time with my friends, or a flight ticket home. This time, it seems like the solution to isolation hasn’t been found and I have no idea when it is going to be actually over.

Nonetheless, there’s one thing that I realized has changed: my attitude towards isolation. Isolation used to be so daunting to me. This year, I started to appreciate isolation a little bit more. I realized all these moments of isolation might not be that bad after all. It has allowed me to learn a little bit more about myself. I take the time to reconnect with myself and reflect on my life. I learned how to get along with myself, because at the end of the day, I am the only one that I can count on. I started to appreciate little things around me and complain less. This is how I know I have found the beauty of isolation. It is a time to be stronger and mindful, to be deeply connected with myself, to love myself more so I can love the people I love even more. Vera

ISOLATION

|

7

Cottagecore: The Comeback and Controversies an escapist reality, an environmentalist dream

F

reshly steeped chamomile tea sits in a hand-painted mug adorned with pink roses. The dried daisy-like leaves harvested from a small herb garden, strewn throughout with lavender bushes and cherry tomatoes that cut through the green-toned scenery.

No one is around aside from a young femme running towards a stone cottage while dressed entirely in white tulle and lace. The scene is backed with soft vocals over simple guitar chords. The short video ends.

Who wouldn’t want a little dose of “the simple life” to grace your TikTok For You page every once in a while?

Between Zoom Meetings and continuous movie streaming that have taken over the lives of the privileged and secure during this pandemic, a new trend called cottagecore has grabbed the attention of an audience looking to escape reality.

The trend romanticizes buying a secluded house in the countryside, living off the land, and frolicking in long dresses through flower fields.

While its reach extends across most social media platforms, it has a special place in TikTok culture. To this day, TikTok’s algorithm seems to continuously promote videos of bread baking, firewood heaters, and videos explaining how to make syrup from violet flowers.

Cottagecore, like many trends, started years ago on Tumblr and has wiggled its way back into the forefront of many social media

platforms. What’s different now is that cottagecore has popped up at a pivotal time, particularly within the United States—a time where everyone must be present.

What can’t be ignored about this seemingly harmless call to a selfsufficient living is the endorsement of an escapist mindset that has turned a blind eye to history and current calls to action.

The rise of this trend during the COVID-19 pandemic is not surprising. Many people have been secluded in their homes and are left dreaming of places they’d rather be.

Cottagecore videos serve as a mini escape from divisive presidential debates, pandemic statistics, protests, and the need to keep up with the 24 hour news cycle.

Particularly popular amongst queer internet communities, cottagecore has become more than an aesthetic, but a calling. A decision to focus on creating a new life so different from modern reality that it ignores the things that matter.

Rightful uprisings across the country, an election year, and a pandemic—all thrown to the wind that runs through tree branches on the path to an ostensibly apolitical dash for the hills.

Aside from the obvious issues with ignoring the political state of a country you live in, or even the world, those engaging in the sentiments of cottagecore in the U.S. are ignoring the fact that cottagecore has banded around an old idea. The

same idea that colonialist settlers came to America with. Continuing the cycle of occupying space on stolen land makes any argument that cottagecore is exempt from the capitalist agenda irrelevant.

One redeeming quality of the cottagecore movement is the focus on environmentalism. The trend is pushing for people to become more self-sufficient. Want some bread?

Make it yourself! Fresh veggies?

Start your own garden! If you are in a privileged enough place to take the time to move towards a more self-sufficient or even zero waste lifestyle, then cottagecore is helping people move in the right direction.

In defense videos online, the community also encourages putting more energy into small tasks to benefit mental health. Learning about a new niche skill from a howto TikTok with the tags cottagecore have sent many to invest in hobbies that can make them happy.

Normalizing the little things is a priority of cottagecore that many have been thankful to get behind.

The irony of this trend is that a whole community built around simplifying an over-developed lifestyle has been made possible by the same technology they are trying to escape -- a reminder that the reality of the world you live in is inescapable.

But let’s keep seeing the Molly Goddard style tulle dresses that the cottagecore community fully endorses, and so do we.

Conscious Self-Care in Quarantine podcasts, roller skates, and vibrators

It’s safe to say that 2020 has led to stress amongst relationships, work-life, and overall safety, making us question our future during quarantine. Most people have put their lives on-pause, while others have picked up new hobbies. Whether that’s listening to podcasts on racial inequality, roller skating, or finding the perfect vibrator, taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually is vital during quarantine.

revamp your sex life Social distancing has hindered sex lives and the ability to meet new people. People who rely on dating apps for sex —or anyone who can’t safely see their partner(s) IRL — can use this time to explore their body and what they find pleasurable.

Alyssa Teixeira, a sex educator and doula (a support system for individuals with health-related issues), provides queer affirming, pleasure-centered sex education.

As a specialist, her most prominent piece of advice is exploring new solo sex techniques, being patient, and trying new things.

“Quarantine is a great time to explore your body and what you find pleasurable, whether you are having partnered sex or solo sex!” Tiexiera says. “Shelter-in-place is also a great time to try out something you haven’t done before. Buy a cool new sex toy or talk to your partner about a fantasy you’ve always wanted to give a try.”

SU Student Laura Caraballo has been browsing different websites and small businesses to find what works well for her body at an affordable price.

“Quarantine was a moment of clarity since I couldn’t be as sexually active. It made me question what I wanted sexually,” Caraballo says. “I had to find gratification through other things such as researching what I like, and it’s liberating. I can do this by myself, and it doesn’t have to be in the hands of my partner.”

The Gaia Eco Biodegradable Vibrator ($10-16) is the first biodegradable vibrator with internal and external stimulation. It’s a great way to climax while reducing one’s carbon footprint.

Centro University, the world’s first sex worker university, has created free classes on adult influencers. Courses provide in-depth conversations on topics ranging from the online adult industry to starting an OnlyFans.

educate yourself During times of protests, understanding and learning about distress encourages people to seek change. Freshman, Jade Cedano, highlights how podcasts, like Syracuse Speaks and Black Girl Magic, have kept her aware of what’s been happening on-campus and at home.

“Listening to podcasts makes me feel like I’m having a conversation with the hosts. It’s different than just listening to mainstream media and feeling overwhelmed. It’s been a scary time, especially being a Black woman,” Cedano says. “I don’t want to hear about how Black people are dying consistently.”

Other podcasts to learn about racial injustice include Seeing White, Justice in America, United States of Anxiety, and It’s Been a Minute with Sam Sanders.

While staying up to date on racial injustices and news surrounding the pandemic, remember to take time to disconnect.

It’s a privilege for someone to not to feel overwhelmed or worried about issues that don’t directly affect them. Use this time to reconnect and disconnect when needed.

The podcast, Pod Save the People, uses grounding techniques for those who need to de-stress from news-cycles while looking at stories per week.

move your body while socially distancing Although gyms are reopening in certain areas, finding a creative way to exercise while social distancing can be difficult.

Scrolling through Tik Tok, people eventually run into the massive surge of individuals obsessed with roller skating. The 80’s trend is becoming more popular again with customizable and affordable skates.

Tik Tokers like Ana Coto sparked the new trend, causing stores to stock-up on their skates and selling out almost instantly on sites like Moxi and Impala Skates.

Abbey Goya, or @abbey_goya on Instagram, discusses learning to roller skate during quarantine. “I enjoy roller skating because every time I lace-up, there is evidence of progress. I’ve unlocked a whole new level of confidence for myself,” Goya says.

Impala Roller Skates have updated their shop with roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, and accessories. Other small online businesses include Angel Skates and Five Stride.

Quarantine has allowed time to reconnect through ways that go beyond in-person interactions. Finding what works best while maintaining ways to stay connected with close friends and family can redefine what quarantine means for someone.

ISOLATION

|

11

IDENTITY IN QUARANTINE

2020

All I want is to be loved. While I am fortunate enough to receive love from those around me, I still feel so lonely. What happens when the only person who would understand me doesn’t fully love me back? I have always considered myself to be an idealist in the realm of love. With that understanding and mindset, there is a lack of consideration for the negatives or the hardships that exist in experiencing love. Over quarantine, I spent months waiting to be back on campus, hoping that once I left home, I would have the opportunity to explore new feelings and desires. I wanted to change my hair, change my eyebrows, wear make up, and wear more effeminate clothing. I wanted to do all these things to help myself feel new. Feel better. But now that I am here and I do get to have those opportunities to try new things, I still don’t feel comfortable with myself.

I thought that seeing myself in a new way would make me feel happier.

Feel more beautiful. I thought I’d actually see myself as a woman. Maybe then, I’d genuinely feel like one too. But that feeling never came. “...today i realized how similar ‘diaspora’ and ‘dysphoria’ look on a page: we have always been made to feel foreign in our own bodies.”

This quote comes from Alok Vaid-Menon in “Identity Blues”. (Femme in Public) Although this quote specifically addresses a physical sense of dysphoria, it still speaks to me. When I began using different pronouns and trying a different name, I didn’t consider that I wouldn’t recognize myself. Currently, I go by the name Aspen. When I first began telling people about this name, I was nervous but excited at the thought of trying something new. As I sit with this name and hear people refer to me as Aspen, I feel like I’m lying to others and to myself.

I also feel simultaneously overwhelmed with concerns about whether I even like the name. Aspen was the name I would have been given if I were born a girl. And while there are some people who do find comfort in this method of choosing a new name, I feel insincere.

I didn’t technically choose the name for myself, so why should I keep it?

I don’t really know if i like how it sounds.

Do I even like what this name means?

At times, I catch myself introducing and referring to myself by my birth name.

Part of me worries that in taking on this new name, I am subconsciously attempting to suppress or deny the person I grew up as. Sometimes, I miss Aiden.

Many of my experiences with my gender identity coincided with doubts of authenticity.

I understand that I cannot escape authenticity given that every choice, action, and thought is authentic facet of myself. However, when I considered this idea of self-growth and trying to love myself authentically, I had no idea how vulnerable or isolated I would feel. I feel lonely when the person I envision in my head isn’t the person looking back at me in the mirror. I feel lonely when people of both the Black and queer community don’t accept people like me who intersect the two. I feel lonely when I build up the courage to wear a dress or a skirt, but still choose to walk in secluded areas so people don’t see me. I feel lonely when

I see names of Black trans women trending online and I think to myself, That could’ve been me.

I would say that these convoluted, and at times counterintuitive, thoughts exist in my mind on a daily basis. And I don’t mean to paint myself as a pessimist or anything. It’s just suffocating sometimes. You know that moment, when you’re crossing the street and you look both ways before you can go? You have to check yourself and make sure you feel comfortable before going any further. Sometimes it can be scary when there’s cars coming at you. It’s even scarier when for a split second you think, what if I went too early, too late? What if I’m not walking fast enough? What if I let it hit me? But you don’t. You get to the other side. Taking these steps with my gender identity feels like a repeating cycle of that experience. It’s draining, but I make it to the other side.

While I have brought up the heavier feelings that come with my experience, I have had my fair share of good moments as well. Many of which come through my hair. Getting my hair braided is extremely important to me as well as many other members of the Black community. While it does hurt sometimes, it too is very grounding and intimate. It’s the sensation of having someone graze through your hair and oil your scalp. It’s knowing that tradition, which served its purpose to aid our survival, and served as a ceremonial process. I especially cherish getting my hair braided, because I get to experience a side of myself I wasn’t offered as a child. I picture little five-year-old me wearing a towel on my head, imagining that I have inches at my back. I got extensions braided into my hair for the first time last year. Not only did I finally see myself as who I wanted to be, but when I looked in the mirror, I saw my mom. Everytime, I think of that moment, I have the same feeling. That feeling of embodying the same feminine beauty and energy as my mother. That feeling of love. No one can take that from me.

(This is not to say that I should feel restricted to only loving myself when I have long hair, but it’s a start) I wanted to close this piece by writing to myself. I often write with the intention of writing to both my past-self, as a way of letting her know that she will be okay, and to my future-self knowing that when I look back, I’ll see how far I’ve come.

This may not be where you want to be, but you are where you need to be.

You will always find a way.

You are not as lonely as you may think.

Let your heart expand, even when you feel afraid to.

The love you are looking for does not need to come from others.

Do not rush yourself.

You are not taking up space. You deserve to be here.

There is so much light in you waiting to come out. So let it.

Thank you for being alive and thank you for existing.

I love you. I love you. I love you. A

IDentity

|

13

QUEER, BLACK, AND FASHION OBSESSED how the south shaped jacorey moon and his future in fashion

J

acorey Moon is currently living in Atlanta, where the weather is “stuck in that ugly purgatory phase where it’s cold, but like, it’s still insanely hot… and filled with Trump supporters.” After getting his graduate degree from Newhouse’s magazine program this past May, he was quickly hired by Office Magazine in NYC, for which he currently works remotely. While he waits for the city to “return to normal,” he shares what being back home means to him as this time allows him to look back on his journey to success.

Moon’s great grandmother introduced him to fashion at a very young age. As a neighborhood seamstress, he was always watching her making garments, using patterns, and fitting customers in awe. He would sit in her office and dive into the stacks of magazines she had laying around for customers. At ten years old, she bought Moon his first Vogue, and everything aligned. While initially, he wanted to be a fashion designer after binging Project Runway, he “broke four sewing machines and quickly learned that I didn’t have the patience,” and decided to go into magazine.

If Moon could create his own dream publication, his focus demographic would be the youth.

“I don’t feel like we have a lot of publications if you’re in college, or 18 to 28-year-olds, we don’t really have magazines that cater to what our life really is, or what we’re actually thinking or what we’re actually doing. Unless it’s like Air Force ones and like baggy jeans.” He explains that it’s easier for publications to capitalize on this age group, but not relate to it.

His publication would also “push the needle forward” and create conversations about Black people

and other people of color to have a creative space and be seen.

Although he didn’t come out until 15, Moon believes that requesting a Beyonce CD at age 6 should have been a sign. His mother always stressed the importance of looking your best, so he always dressed well. “I came out the closet (when) Lady Gaga was at her Apex and (had released) Born This Way. I was like yes, my time. Then I immediately went to school in crop tops and really tight jeans.” Before coming out, he was always thinking of the looks he would pull once he was comfortable. “I was already thinking about what I would be, who I would be when I came out. I was thinking, okay, this will be good when I have the courage to wear it, or this will be good when I don’t feel like everybody is staring at me. I already knew who I was going to be; it was just actually finding the courage to do it.”

He mentions that while the pandemic has negatively affected his mental health, it has taught him the importance of patience. He has learned to “tuck away” more creative ideas to save them for when he’s in a better headspace.

In terms of the Black Lives Matter protests that have been happening recently, Moon sees right through publications giving a false sense of inclusivity, ones that are looking to check off a box. “As a person who’s currently trying to get a job in the middle of a pandemic in an industry that’s already super competitive, it’s like, with Black Lives Matter things happening during the summer. It was like everybody was saying, ‘Yeah, we see we hear you yada yada, yada.’ But then it’s like, okay, now a few months after, and we’re reaching out to be Black editors, stylists, creatives (etc.). I reached out to these people and did not get

anything back. No answers, no calls, no interviews, no anything, because everything is for show.” These are things he looks for in terms of employment and who he works for; he only wants to represent a brand that represents him.

That’s why Moon loves working for Office Magazine, a publication who focuses on bridging the gaps for underrepresented groups. “They go into the margins and take the people out of the margins and put them into the pages.” They focus heavily on the LGBTQ+ community, who are some of his favorite interviews he’s gotten to do. Already having 50 clips under his belt, Moon has interviewed rappers, trans models, and activists. He was happy to see Office’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement; the publication published any kind of story that was Black centric and put Black people on the pedestal to make them feel like their voices were getting heard.

“I never thought that I was the smartest or the most creative or the most fashionable. I graduated undergrad and didn’t feel like I was any of those things because I just never saw anybody like me doing what I’m doing.” Working at Office Magazine has been a very educational experience for Moon, and he’s already taken notice of things to keep in mind. “Do the work that other people don’t like to do.”

He’s learned that by doing this he has gained more work experience and had more writing opportunities as a result.

Although it’s hard to imagine a month in the future, let alone postgrad, Moon is the perfect example of making it during this confusing time. His ability to stay on his toes and go with the flow helped him land his position at Office and stay sane while working from home.

IDentity

|

17

CREATION IN QUARANTINE

2020

When Covid hit at the beginning of March, I was studying abroad at the London College of Fashion. After experiencing a whole other world, I was catapulted back into my parent’s home and quarantined in my bedroom for two weeks. My quarantine began as a time to finish projects from my semester in London, and afterward became a time to reflect. With so much extra time on my hands, it felt important to gather inspiration for future projects, try out new hobbies, and make new things.

With a general fear of leaving the house, especially as I was at home with my parents, using items I found lying around remained the general theme for anything I made over the summer. I think that during the course of the pandemic, many people like myself were hopeful that we could use this time of subjected isolation to better ourselves and expand our skillset. With fabric stores near me only open for curbside pick-up, instead of buying new yards of fabric, I decided only to use the things I already had, which, as somewhat of a fabric and thrift haul hoarder, was a lot.

I began flipping clothes I found in my basement into new garments, like an old button-up dress into a two piece set and XL pants into dresses. I was finally able to transform some of the things that I picked up at the thrift store because I liked its materiality into real things; it was the first time I couldn’t use the excuse “I don’t have time.” While I have always put designs for classwork at the forefront of my schedule, and during the summers always worked tiring service jobs, this felt like the first time I was my own boss. I could design for myself, in my little bubble without distraction and free from critique. Although this isn’t how I expect the real world to operate, the pandemic gave me time to explore things that I really liked doing and do them the way I wanted.

Despite the pandemic, I was lucky enough to find an opportunity to work from home.

I set up a studio space in my room with all my sewing tools. As construction has always been my favorite part of fashion, having my sewing machine with me helped me carry on and fill my free time. I was also fortunate enough to begin a position as a technical design intern at For Love and Lemons. This job was entirely remote, as the rest of the team with headquarters in Los Angeles were also working from home daily. Even though I was far away from L.A. in Chicago, I was still able to connect with the rest of the design team easily.I acted as an integral part of the team since working remotely required much more organization and planning throughout the stages of product development. Seeing how the team operated gave me insight and hope about how fashion developments and fitting can still take place during the pandemic. Only a few people and a fit model would meet weekly for fittings and I would be able to relay that technical information for the next steps at the factory.

The pandemic has changed how people do things in all occupations daily, yet I think that in some ways, it has made creative work and actual work easier in certain situations. Although the idea of not being face-to-face with others was foreign at first, in the workspace it led to making more efficient systems that kept everyone up to date. In my personal projects and endeavors, I was able to work on my own schedule and make my own clothes which meant I could shop less.

Throughout quarantine, I could move through different creative phases that all had expiration dates. Now, as I’ve been transitioning back to a much more fastpaced mode at Syracuse, I’ve been able to hone in on skills that I’ve learned and use them to think forwards in how I can apply them in the future.Adelle

Creation

|

19

Q&A with Cover star Appleby tennis player turned musician The beats are like the slow steady breeze of California where musician Justin Burns, who goes by Appleby, moved last September. An easygoing rhythmic experience juxtaposed against the honest lyrics that took years of self awareness and vulnerability to muster into words. It’s like his music knew before him that he belonged in Los Angeles.

But the trajectory of the 29-yearold tennis prodigy who grew up in Ohio, Illinois, and Florida has never been clear. When speaking about staying creative during quarantine, prioritizing mental health among hate, and learning vulnerability through music, it is clear Appleby is an old soul on a lifelong mission.

Read more about falling in love with music and pushing the boundaries of creation with technology in this Q&A with Zipped’s cover star Appleby.

Creation

|

21

Q “Where did the name Appleby come from?”

Q “Is there a particular reason you chose your mom’s maiden name?”

Q “How would you personally describe your music?”

Q “When did you start really getting into music?”

Q “How were you lacking direction?”

A “It’s my mom’s maiden name. I kept the idea of me being an artist from my family and friends, so Appleby was a way to keep them on the journey with me despite not including them initially.”

A “I wanted to find a name that is at the core of who I am, what I reflect, and something that I can grow with. My family’s never going to change. So it was to include them in the journey, but also a way for me to maintain humility. No matter how big I get as an act, my name is my family’s name. If I start fucking up, I’m screwing up my family’s name.”

A “It’s interesting. You’re catching at a point where I’m transitioning and learning to separate myself from the struggles of genre. For a very long time I was making music not for genre, but then when you release it people will ask: ‘What genre is it?’ Since I’ve never gravitated to one specific label—it was just more of a feeling—I would just accept whatever genre somebody would tell me. Alternative R&B was how so many people described it. But as of late I recognize that I don’t fit inside of that box and have stepped outside of that mindset to create a sound that reflects Appleby.”

A “In terms of being creator of music, that was seven years ago. I watched a music video for this artist named Spooky Black who now goes by his real name Corbin. I was like, ‘Oh, this is so sick, I want to try writing.’

That actually gave me purpose that I lacked years previously.”

A “I grew up playing tennis. I started playing when I was five, traveling the country by 10, and the world at 12. I tried to go to traditional high school but I was missing so much school that they threatened to hold me back.

My mom was like, ‘Nah, that’s not gonna happen.’ So I went to a tennis academy for the remainder of my high school years. By the end of that time period, when it was time for college I had burnt out.

That first year of being responsibility free after playing tennis seven hours a day for five or six days a week—and that’s not including tournaments—I recognized how many hours are in a day. Initially, it was kind of fun, because I can party with my friends and finally get out of the house for the first time because I didn’t have to be up at 4am to practice.

I eventually lost myself trying to figure out how to make days matter.

Without tennis, I didn’t really have anything to describe myself other than being referred to as the former tennis player that could have been something. It wasn’t until I found music that I started to address those emotions and find the words to express what I just expressed. That gave me sort of peace of mind and comfort.”

Q “What’s your favorite way to create?”

A “I think I have a dual ideal. First and foremost, it has to be a comfortable space. My room is typically my favorite space because it’s the spot that I know the most. It’s my curated environment, everything on the wall is my choosing, everything in it is mine. I also love being on my own, because then I can bump my head up against the wall for however long I need to to get the ideas out.

Then on the other hand having somebody else to bounce ideas off of or just to gauge what’s good and what’s not is nice. Artists like myself who write autobiographically, it can sometimes be hard to judge your experiences properly, so it helps energy wise when you have somebody you trust to help you figure out what’s good and what’s not.”

Q “Has COVID impacted your creative process?”

Q “There has also been rightful uprisings and political unrest of the past months, has this impacted your creative process?”

Q “How has music been able to serve you on this journey?”

Q “What do you hope your music brings to people?”

A “I think it hurts from the collaboration aspect. But luckily, with technology it actually made the idea of collaboration that much easier. It puts the control in my hands and the understanding that it was always there. So a lot of times you’ll wait for your friends that are overseas to come to LA or New York or Chicago or vice versa. Now everybody can be collaborative partners if they’re comfortable with virtual creating.”

A “We’re already dealing with COVID and there aren’t essays about how to deal with this sort of isolation and the relentless sadness. So we are struggling to handle that and as you find your flow, then you have the the side of the social movement kicking in. For any of us that had our lives uprooted, as African Americans and especially as an African American male, you start to see a lot of imagery that could either be you, your family members, or somebody that you know. That can mess with you emotionally. It can make it challenging to know what to say creatively or even be inspired to say anything. Even just to be able to feel like yourself and comfortable in your skin. All of that then impacts the creative. For me respectively, I’ve had moments where I had to step away from music and get my mental health to a good spot.”

A “I write autobiographically, I spend a lot of time diving inward to better understand myself. To understand what it is I’m trying to do, achieve, say, or feel. Through the creating process, it makes me a better person because I’m a bit more self aware. You find things about yourself that you like and things that you don’t like, then once you’re aware of that you have the ability to either change or not change.”

A “A big thing for me is being honest and vulnerable in my music. Most of what I make, has a root of human interaction and human emotion.

Hopefully I’ve found a way to say something that somebody else has always felt but never had the words for. That’s something that I hope, because if you hear that, you feel a little less alone and that’s always been something I’ve always wanted to feel—a little less alone.”

Fashion is a Privilege syracuse is no exception

2

020 has brought pain, anger, and frustration, but also, growth.

This time has forced people to face hard truths, learn new realities and become more aware of the world around them, especially within the fashion industry.

The world of fashion is no stranger to classism. For decades, people have used style as a way to reflect their wealth and status. There is an expectation within the fashion industry to keep up with constantly changing trends and follow them closely.

Those who are wealthier have the privilege to stay on top of these trends. Money gives people the ability to access fashion. If someone has the privilege of being economically stable, they can afford the latest trends and hottest styles.

On the other hand, those who lack the privilege of wealth also lack access to fashion.

Classism in fashion has created a system that makes the industry almost inaccessible for anyone who isn’t rich. Syracuse is a real-life example. Many SU students’ wealth gives them the privilege to follow the latest trends and choose their style, while most city locals wear whatever they can afford. Syracuse resident’s fashion is controlled by their economic situation, not preference.

As recorded in the 2018 Census, 30.5% of Syracuse residents were living under the poverty line.

Considering it is one of the poorest cities in America, the average Syracuse family doesn’t have the luxury of deciding where their clothes come from.

The fast fashion industry has recently been exposed for their poor practices, resulting in a movement against popular brands like Forever 21 and Zara. However, many tend to rely on these cheaper stores for their clothing. For most Syracuse families, those places are the most affordable option.

If someone has the financial ability to partake in sustainable fashion practices like buying from eco-friendly brands and shopping at second-hand clothing stores, they should. While it is important to be more environmentally conscious, there is an inherent privilege in that choice.

Many Syracuse residents don’t have economic freedom, and additionally lack access to transportation and stores. In Journalist, Alana Semuels Atlantic article, “How to Decimate A City”, she investigated how the construction of I-81 affected the city and its residents. Semuels wrote, “this construction would destroy a close-knit Black community … essentially separating Syracuse into two.”

And that’s exactly what it did.

Semuels says when I-81 was built, the city created “a 1.4-mile section of elevated highway that separates Syracuse University from downtown and the city’s highpoverty South Side.”

There is a clear contrast between the sides. To the east is Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical, Syracuse VA Medical Center and Crouse Hospital. To the west are the projects and Pioneer Homes, which are government housing.

The contrast is obvious. Urban development, proper infrastructure and affluence quickly turn into immense poverty right at the underpass with little transition zone.

I-81 is the barrier. Rich to the east.

Poor to the west.

Emanuel J. Carter Jr., associate professor at SU and previous Syracuse city planner, says the city created the highway to promote growth. However, it instead, “made it easier for people who lived in the suburbs to get downtown quickly … and to get out quickly.”

The creation of I-81 allowed white residents the opportunity to flee to

the suburbs and still easily access the city. The poorer minorities of the 15th ward, the neighborhood that was torn down to build the elevated section of I-81, weren’t given the same opportunity to relocate after their home was destroyed. “It worked for suburbanites. It did not work for the rest of the citizens inside the city,” says Carter Jr. Suburban residents also have easier access to Destiny Mall.

Destiny is the largest mall in New York state and a fashion hub in Central New York with over 200 stores. Before Destiny, smaller suburban malls and city stores were how the community had access to fashion, but Destiny “ruined every mall in the region by cornering the market,” says Carter Jr. For suburban residents who have cars and easy access to I-81, there isn’t an issue. They can hop on the highway and exit into the mall’s lot within minutes. Inner-city residents don’t have this luxury. Most families are too poor to afford a car. The Centro schedules and running times restrict those who take the bus routes from downtown. Other times shopping locally is their only option despite stores not always having what they need, or at an affordable cost.

Lack of access and economic privilege goes beyond the fashion industry. These issues interconnect with countless other issues like racism and feminism. The factors restricting Syracuse residents from participating in the fashion word hold true in other vectors of their lives, like finding a job or buying a home.

Breaking down classism in fashion begins with recognizing privilege, realizing that not everyone gets to choose what they wear and where it comes from. Being more aware of the luxury of choice will bring people that much closer to becoming more equal.

Creation

|

25

shop local support local and check out some Black-owned businesses in and around the Syracuse Community

FASHION INDEX

FASHION

ACCESSORIES

Ace of Brave All Money Spends Better Daze Clothing BombFlowerZoeBeads CELLetto Checkz N Balances CMENchi Cruddy Sport Good Vibes Only Clothing Gotta Have It Boutique HatWorld In My Image Children’s Clothing Boutique InOurWords Apparel Company Locs and Tingz Made in Threads Regal Athletics Rooted.

Royal Creations Apparel The New You Boutique Glory Felt LadyWalkerDesigns™️ PrettyKitty Commissions Rhema Revelation Music Productions LLC/Designs Tru Soundz Entertainment RedLotus The Poetess Legacy Gems Jewelry Mixed Genre Jewelry Shikoba Jewels VC3 Fashion Boutique

Allure Hair Studio A Perfect 10 Natural Hair Salon Goode Looks Infinite Design Hair Crea’Tique Beauty Bar Hernu Beauty Services Marti B’s Crowning Glory Olivia’s Family Hair Care Body Care for SELF Flossy Chic Beauty Services

LASHES

A List Lashes Asia’s Lash and Brow Studio La Lashes Lash Mafia 315

FOOD

FITNESS

Asempe Kitchen Bad Vegen Café LLC Habiba’s Ethiopian Kitchen Neighborhood Chef, LLC (NY) Taste of Africa Royce Catering Kitchen Crave Dessert Studio Cupcakes R Me SISTASWEETSNY

FASHION INDEX

BEAUTY

H2Fitness Southside Fitness

shop

information courtesy of #BuyBlackSYR

Your Student Fee