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April's monthly publication out now!!!
April's magazine:
“The Girls’ Guide to Unlearning Everything”
“The Girls’ Guide to Unlearning Everything”
This month, we’re asking the kinds of questions that don’t always come with easy answers. From beauty standards shaped by algorithms to the quiet gaps in what we’re taught about consent, this issue explores what it really means to grow up as a young woman in a world that’s constantly defining, and redefining you. It’s about the expectations we inherit, the labels we challenge, and the systems we’re still learning to navigate… all while trying to figure out who we are underneath it all. Maybe the most radical thing a girl can do nowadays… is think for herself.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
“We Never Learned This”: The Quiet Gaps in Consent Education”
A deep dive into the gaps in consent and relationship education. This article highlights how incomplete teaching leaves young people unprepared and why honest, comprehensive conversations matter more than ever.
"Before We Knew Better, We Knew Limits"
From childhood to the workplace, this piece reveals how gender stereotypes quietly shape expectations for women. It challenges the roles assigned to girls and asks what it would look like to grow up without limits.
“The “Bitch” Narrative”
An analysis of how women are judged for traits that are praised in men. From social media to politics, this piece unpacks the double standards that shape how women are perceived and why disagreeability still comes at a cost.
"The Women Who Refused the Script”
A reflection on the role of women in the abolitionist movement, highlighting figures who challenged injustice through words and action. This piece connects past resistance to the ongoing fight for equality today.
“Playing the Victim”
A powerful look at the legal and social barriers survivors face when reporting sexual assault. From dismissed cases to systemic loopholes, this article examines how institutions meant to protect often fall short and what needs to change.
"Ink, Voice, and Legacy"
A closer look at the overlooked women of the Harlem Renaissance, this piece highlights the writers, artists, and cultural leaders who helped shape one of the most influential movements in American history yet were often left out of its narrative..
“The Filtered Life”
An exploration of how beauty standards have evolved from cultural ideals into billion-dollar industries. This piece unpacks how social media, consumerism, and globalization shape the way we see ourselves and why perfection always seems just out of reach.
“Who Gets Believed?”
We say “believe survivors” but what happens when society doesn’t? This piece explores the unspoken rules that determine credibility, the role of media in shaping perception, and why speaking up still comes with conditions even in a more "progressive" society there are still steroetypes of a perfect victim.
**all Images sourced from pinterest**
**all Images sourced from pinterest**
"We Never Learned This”: The Quiet Gaps in Consent Education"
"We Never Learned This”: The Quiet Gaps in Consent Education"
By: Aima Usman
By: Aima Usman
There’s a moment a lot of students can relate to: sitting in a health class, half paying attention, while a teacher goes through slides about puberty or abstinence. The word “consent”might come up, but often briefly, awkwardly, or without much explanation. Then class ends, and students are left to figure out the rest of their relationships on their own. That gap between what students are taught and what they actually need to know mattes more than we tend to admit.
Sexual education in the United States varies widely by state and even by school district. According to the Guttmacher Institute, only a portion of states require sex education to include information about consent, and even fewer mandate that it be medically accurate or comprehensive. Many programs still emphasis abstinence or basic biology, or healthy relationships.
At the same time, sexual violence remains a serious issue especially among young people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a significant number of individuals experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime, with many cases occurring before age 25. These two realities are connected.
When students aren’t clearly taught what consent actually means; ongoing, enthusiastic, and freely given, it leaves room for misunderstanding. Silence can be mistaken for agreement. Pressure can be normalized. Boundaries can feel unclear or even “rude” to assert. Without guidance, people often rely on media, peers, or trial-and-error to learn how relationships should work, which isn’t always reliable or safe due to biases. Consent education, when it is included, can sometimes feel overly simplified: “no means no”. While it’s important, it doesn’t go far enough. It doesn’t address situations where someone feels unable to say no, or power dynamics, alcohol, or social pressure complicate communication. It also rarely emphasizes that consent should be enthusiastic; not just absence of refusal.
Healthy relationship education is another major gap. Students may not learn how to recognize emotional manipulation, coercion, or respect in a relationship. According to Advocates for Youth, comprehensive sex education that includes communication skills, respect, and decision-making is linked to healthier behaviors and better outcomes.
From a student perspective, this lack of preparation can feel frustrating. We’re expected to navigate complex, emotional and social situations without ever being fully taught how. It’s like being given a map with half the directions missing, and still being expected to arrive without any complications.
Improving education doesn’t mean making classrooms uncomfortable or inappropriate. It means making them honest. Programs that focus on consent, boundaries, and respect can be age-appropriate while still benign, clear and meaningful. For example, younger students can learn about personal space and saying “no”, while older students can explore communication, mutual respect, and recognizing unhealthy dynamics.
There are already models that show how this works. Comprehensive sex education programs, those that include consent and relationship skills, have been associated with reduced rates of sexual risk behaviors and increased understanding of boundaries. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has also emphasized that comprehensive sexuality education can help prevent gender-based violence by promoting respect and equality.
Ultimately, the issue isn’t that schools are doing nothing; it’s that what they’re doing often isn’t enough. Education shapes how people understand themselves and others. When it leaves out critical topics like consent and healthy relationships, it doesn’t just create confusion, it can contribute to harm. On the other hand, when students are given clear, thoughtful guidance, it empowers them to make informed choices, respect others, and recognize when something isn’t right.
If the goal of education is to prepare students for real life, then this is part of real life. And it deserves more than a rushed slide at the end of a lesson.
References
Sex education and HIV education. (2016, March 14). Guttmacher Institute.
https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/sex-and-hiv-education
(N.d.-a). Cdc.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2026, from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/fastfact.html
(N.d.-b). Advocatesforyouth.org. Retrieved April 7, 2026, from https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/resources/fact-sheets/comprehensive-sex-education/
(N.d.-c). Unesco.org. Retrieved April 7, 2026, from https://www.unesco.org/en/health-education/cse
“The Script We Didn’t Write”: How Gender Stereotypes Hold Women Back"
By: Grace Castleberry
From the moment a baby girl is dressed in pink, a message is sent out. There is already a script for how she should think, speak, and dream provided by society, sometimes subtly and sometimes not so subtly. These scripts are passed from one generation to another shaping personalities and trimming down possibilities.
During childhood, girls are praised for being polite, and easy to get along with, but rarely for being bold or curious. While boys are given building blocks and encouraged for open-ended play, girls receive dolls and are directed towards nurturing roles. The differences may be small, but they clearly reinforce the message early on that a girl’s value is found in her gentleness and not in her drive. By the time many girls begin school, they have already accepted that leadership and risk-taking are not for them.
Adolescence is when the pressure becomes really high. Sometimes, there is explicit discouragement from enrolling in math and science subjects, but most often it is implicit messages that girls cannot excel in these subjects. An unintentional increase in calling on boys in class, or asking just boys to show their examples, makes all the difference for a young girl. In the media, female inventors and scientists are hardly shown. On top of that, young women are taught to occupy less social space. They are told to not dominate the room with their presence, or be too opinionated. The girl who speaks up with confidence is called bossy, while the boy displaying the same characteristics is seen as a leader.
Women who push through all that early conditioning and build careers still find stereotypes awaiting them. The same assertiveness that gets men promoted brands women as difficult. For women, becoming a mother is a professional red flag, but for men fathers, this has
little significance. Women are passed over, underpaid, and locked out of boardrooms not because they lack the necessary skills but because of signatures as to what a leader should look like.
So How Do We Actually Change Things?
It begins not as far away as everyone thinks, parents can raise daughters to be kind and confident. Schools can also celebrate women in history, science and public life beyond one month of the year. Instead of just hanging a diversity poster in the break room, workplaces can be honest about their cultures and biases. And all of us can start calling out the stereotypes we see in everyday conversation and media rather than just letting them go.
Girls don’t want their script written for them anymore. It’s time society stands up and starts encouraging girls to pursue what they want, not just motherhood. Doing this ensures a more inclusive society for young girls generations to come.
The “Bitch” Narrative
The “Bitch” Narrative
By: Annie Sun
To preface my criticism, I’d like to address the gaps in my narrative. I acknowledge my omission of societies that limit the civil and natural liberties of women. My criticism is aimed at the enduring issues of first-world feminism. My intention is to analyze and underscore the deep-seated issues of feminism that, at times, we as women are blind to. I do not believe, at my current understanding, that I can deliver a politically correct or fully objective analysis of such societies and their cultures. However, when reading, I ask that you keep these omissions in mind. My criticism is therefore not representative of all feminism, but specifically of first-world feminism.
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I’d like to say the word “bitch” comes from elementary playgrounds: children who don’t know any better because they haven’t been taught better; shallow, juvenile assessments; a profanity used for the elementary thrill of saying a profanity.
But it doesn’t. And that’s the most hurtful part of the narrative. It’s not a stage of ignorance the children grow out of. It’s a seed of misogyny they carry throughout their lives: the bitch classmate, the bitch girlfriend, the bitch teacher, the bitch co-worker, the bitch boss. Much of it stems from disagreeability. The one trait women are discouraged from. Many women are victims, but the common majority, men and women, are also perpetrators of the “bitch” narrative.
From a young age, women are taught what is “proper”: to be polite, to be soft-spoken, to smile more. To second-wave-Feminism’s credit, the world has seen a revolution in the societal expectations of the ‘female image’. To start, there’s no expectation to submit to dresses, husbands, or structures of domesticity. Women experience much freedom today: short hair and jorts to name a few. Previously masculine attributes have been redefined in the image of a woman. Fortunately, much of today’s struggle isn’t within aesthetic grievances. Much of the issue is the expectations of a woman’s behavior. For women, there are often smaller confines of acceptable traits compared to men. It’s not private knowledge that women often get treated as lesser than men when both individuals hold the same traits, in the same scenarios, in the same environments, toward the same people.
To the contemporary woman, sisterhood has been rebranded as being a “Girl’s Girl”. Like all of social media’s feminist endeavors, they are innocent in intent, but at best, shallow in execution. The ‘Girl’s Girl’ refers to women who uplift other women: uplifting can be defined as compliments, the loyalty to sisterhood, and the overall support of a fellow ‘girl’. Essentially, it paints the image of a woman whose values are rooted in kindness, empathy, and loyalty. The intentions of ‘Girl’s Girl’ are to foster a sense of community between women, a unionized struggle against the “Pick-me” need to appease the patriarchy. However, in many ways, the Girl’s-Girl is a byproduct of the patriarchy it aims to displease. While the movement is “uplifting,” much of being a Girl’s-Girl is being agreeable. The dilemma of agreeability is that humans are different, of course. There is never going to be true unitarism. Establishing plural thought and the non-feasability of total agreement, at one point, agreement is a performance. Being a Girl’s Girl tests the boundaries of that point. To what degree would women appease each other under the pretense of sisterhood against the patriarchy? From precedent, women who’ve stepped beyond the confines of a gracious, empathetic, agreeable and kind woman, were demonized. Drawing from popular culture, Angela Bassett lost her ‘Best Supporting Actress’ Oscar to Jamie Lee Curtis. When Basset expressed significant disappointment, an inherently humane instinct to losing an award as a competitive candidate, Bassett was shamed online. Girl’s-Girl culture has partially reasserted patriarchy, demonizing women for actions beyond their ‘inherent’ social qualities. It is not all the fault of the social media archetype. In fact, the Girl’s Girl is merely a byproduct of the age-old issue.
Unfortunately, much of the archetype goes beyond compliments and shallow fads. Much of it seeps into the literal economics and politics of the world. In 2024, Kamala Harris, America’s first female vice-president, and its second female presidential candidate, announced her run for presidency. In her memoir “107 Days” Harris reflects on the double standards between male and female candidates. For much of her run, Harris was judged on likability while her male counterpart was judged largely on competence. Harris attributed the double standard as a playing factor in her campaign’s failure to spotlight her policies, making it clear her call-outs were not personal grievances, but systemic patterns. Regardless of one’s stance toward Harris or her campaign, regrettable implications of her candidacy spotlighted the prevalence of sexism in politics. For many women, politics is simply another route of social standards they’ll have to navigate to succeed in pushing their agendas. As imperative as politics are, it is ironic that much of the democratic world views it through a sexist lens: judging a female candidate, with possible life-saving policies, in the lens of her likeability.
Workplaces are one of the many environments that have historically– and continue to– marginalize women. Like most feminist empirics, The Bitch Narrative leads back to the pay gap. Disagreeable men earn 18 percent more [$9,772 than the agreeable man], while disagreeable women earn 5 percent more [$1,828 than the agreeable woman]. However, the fiscal narrative doesn’t underscore the true struggles of women in workplaces, or rather, “Bitches” in the workplace. University of Notre Dame Professor Timothy Judge summarized the dilemma. “If you’re a disagreeable man, you’re considered a tough negotiator,” he says. "But, the perception is that if a woman is agreeable, she gets taken advantage of, and if she is disagreeable, she’s considered a control freak or ‘the B-word.’ “Think about Martha Stewart and Donald Trump,” Judge says. “They’re both tough people and, yet, I think Martha Stewart has gotten much more negative press and taken more grief because she’s a disagreeable woman.”
Women are too often demonized. In an age of technology, where empathy is far and few in between, it is easy to call someone derogatory terms when they’re disagreeable, detaching from the deeper implications. In historical and contemporary society, women have always been offered a different social contract than men. Women are born into a contract that obliges them to a smile, straight back, and approachable demeanor. Her social contract never compromised the nuances of life. She was always expected to exceed inherent human emotions because she is a ‘proper’ woman.
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Afterword: The Bitch Narrative reflects my research and intention to critique stagnant social structures. It is not my intention to attack any group; rather, I hope to spotlight an underreported and often unnoticed issue. I have written this piece with the expectation of disagreement, criticism, and further discussion. I hope women and men alike are able to reflect on their own– and society’s– casual use of derogatory language toward others. Personal interpretation, research, dissent, and comments are welcome.
Works Cited
Eagly, Alice H., and Lina L. Carli. “(PDF) the Female Leadership Advantage: An Evaluation of the Evidence.” ResearchGate, 5 Sept. 2003, www.researchgate.net/publication/222420984_The_Female_Leadership_Advantage_An_Evaluation_of_the_Evidence.
Elcock, Adia. “What Is a “Girl’s Girl”?” Flathatmagazine.com, 10 May 2024, www.flathatmagazine.com/blog/girls-girl.
Judge, Timothy A., et al. “Do Nice Guys—and Gals—Really Finish Last? The Joint Effects of Sex and Agreeableness on Income.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 102, no. 2, 2012, pp. 390–407, https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026021.
Kleinman, Sherryl, et al. “Reclaiming Critical Analysis: The Social Harms of “Bitch.”” Reclaiming Critical Analysis: The Social Harms of “Bitch,” vol. 3, no. 1, 2009, www.jmu.edu/socanth/sociology/_files/ezzell.reclaiming_critical_analysis.pdf.
Robertson, Crystal. “Paternalistic Push & Pull: The Role of Sexism in Public Opinion of Kamala Harris.” The Journal of Race Ethnicity and Politics, 10 Nov. 2025, pp. 1–23, www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-race-ethnicity-and-politics/article/paternalistic-push-pull-the-role-of-sexism-in-public-opinion-of-kamala- harris/E5D8BCBB4AC2C6CF3314D0D0C36FF0DA? utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=bookmark, https://doi.org/10.1017/rep.2025.10036. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Spak, Kara. “Disagreeable Men Earn More, Says Study - Notre Dame Business Mendoza College of Business.” Mendoza College of Business, 19 Dec. 2018, mendoza.nd.edu/news/disagreeable-men-earn-more-says-study/
all images sourced from pinterest
all images sourced from pinterest
"The Women Who Refused the Script"
By: Elisa Nikovic
Everyone knows that slavery is an awful institution that has been around for many centuries; However, many people do not know that it did not end in the United States with the Civil War and in fact, persists within the prison system and in various countries. Since the founding of the United States, various groups of women have played a large role in ending slavery and people can still advocate for the complete abolition of the system.
Some female abolitionists faced this issue head-on, freeing enslaved people, while others took an artistic approach to garner sympathy for those enslaved.
Harriet Beecher Stowe was a 19th-century abolitionist, credited by President Abraham Lincoln as “the little woman who wrote the book that made this Great War [civil war].” Following the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act, Stowe wrote her renowned novel “Uncle Tom's Cabin”, also known as “Life Among The Lowly.” The book is a fictional story focused on the cruelty of slavery and the separation of families due to the institution. Stowe uses religion to illuminate the contradictions in the morality of a religious person enslaving another human. This book infuriated many pro-slavery southerners and resonated with many other abolitionists. Uncle Tom's Cabin would serve as one of the most influential anti-slavery writing pieces in all of United States history.
Another abolitionist from the same time period is Sojourner Truth. Sojourner Truth was born into slavery, facing awful and inhumane conditions, and would become an important figure in both the abolition movement and the women’s rights movement. Throughout her lifetime, she delivered various speeches showcasing the cruelty of slavery. Her most well-known speech and phrase is, “Ain’t I a Woman?” However, the transcript of this speech had been significantly altered, and the phrase “ain’t I a woman” isn’t even present in Sojourner Truth's actual speech. Yet, Sojourner Truth's actual speech, without its dialect changed, still outlines how women are as capable as men.
One of the most well-known anti-slavery women, Harriet Tubman, took another approach to this issue. While Harriet Beecher Stowe and Sojourner Truth used words, Harriet Tubman helped enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad. Similar to Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman was born into slavery but escaped. Once she did so, she learned more about the Underground Railroad and would help her family run away. Despite the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, Tubman bravely continued freeing enslaved people.
All of these women showed immense bravery and persistence to fix the problem that had been corrupting the entire country; this was during a time when half of the United States were passionately against their beliefs and the government had been doing nothing but allowing slavery to continue.
"Playing the Victim”
By: Stephanie Monsanto
By: Stephanie Monsanto
Speaking out is imperative for change, so the world must change in order to help people speak out.
When reporting sexual assault to police officers victims should feel heard not dismissed by officers. So many women experience sexual assault but many women face struggles when they bravely choose to report. Many cases of sexual assault are often dismissed due to the report being unfounded or unsustained. Which means the allegation is baseless and that there is a lack of evidence. This is very common in cases of sexual assault because most acts are committed in private and many cases would be based on “he said, she said.” This could lead many victims to feel hurt and betrayed by a system of law meant to protect them. It also exposes the lack of support in many police departments when it comes to how sexual assault cases are handled. Whether that be an officer's communication, training, and interaction with victims. Not only that, but many reported cases being dismissed could also contribute to the low report rates of sexual assault and be part of why many assaulters are free. Responses to sexual assault and reporting must be handled better. I understand that laws are not perfect and are constantly evolving and changing. But the people who enforce these laws must fix their attitude and ability to adjust to situations. Many assault victims face scrutiny from the public, and judgement from their friends and family they should not have to deal with the same thing in a police station.
Many people also face legal loopholes when trying to get justice for their assault. When someone is voluntarily intoxicated it makes it very hard to win the case because these victims will most likely, be denied the same legal protections. In fact in 23 states it's said that if someone consumes alcohol voluntarily it is okay to deny them legal protections. But this is not right, regardless of their mental state and if someone drank or that they don’t deserve to have their personal autonomy violated. In fact someone in this condition should have even more legal protections, not less. It is unfair to say that drinking gives someone an invitation and the audacity to violate another person. It allows people to get away with doing something that is inherently and morally wrong. Likewise, when someone is raped by their spouse they will also not receive the same legal protections as other people. Why should people have to struggle so much to get the same laws applied to them? A marriage certificate is not consent. In states like Michigan, Idaho, and South Carolina rape in a marriage requires it to be mor severe. But this is not right rape is rape. There shouldn’t have to be something else that complicates the implications of the law. The fact that these laws have not been changed shows how sexual assault laws and cases need to have more priority in the courts. Because sexual assault and rape happens a lot, and all the time. So many women, men, and kids experience this trauma everyday and the way that the justice system has handled this needs to be improved. It is important to always spread awareness and to help support victims. But it is also important to put a spotlight on our politicians and ask them just how they are going to handle this issue.
"Playing the Victim”
By: Stephanie Monsanto
By: Stephanie Monsanto
Speaking out is imperative for change, so the world must change in order to help people speak out.
When reporting sexual assault to police officers victims should feel heard not dismissed by officers. So many women experience sexual assault but many women face struggles when they bravely choose to report. Many cases of sexual assault are often dismissed due to the report being unfounded or unsustained. Which means the allegation is baseless and that there is a lack of evidence. This is very common in cases of sexual assault because most acts are committed in private and many cases would be based on “he said, she said.” This could lead many victims to feel hurt and betrayed by a system of law meant to protect them. It also exposes the lack of support in many police departments when it comes to how sexual assault cases are handled. Whether that be an officer's communication, training, and interaction with victims. Not only that, but many reported cases being dismissed could also contribute to the low report rates of sexual assault and be part of why many assaulters are free. Responses to sexual assault and reporting must be handled better. I understand that laws are not perfect and are constantly evolving and changing. But the people who enforce these laws must fix their attitude and ability to adjust to situations. Many assault victims face scrutiny from the public, and judgement from their friends and family they should not have to deal with the same thing in a police station.
Many people also face legal loopholes when trying to get justice for their assault. When someone is voluntarily intoxicated it makes it very hard to win the case because these victims will most likely, be denied the same legal protections. In fact in 23 states it's said that if someone consumes alcohol voluntarily it is okay to deny them legal protections. But this is not right, regardless of their mental state and if someone drank or that they don’t deserve to have their personal autonomy violated. In fact someone in this condition should have even more legal protections, not less. It is unfair to say that drinking gives someone an invitation and the audacity to violate another person. It allows people to get away with doing something that is inherently and morally wrong. Likewise, when someone is raped by their spouse they will also not receive the same legal protections as other people. Why should people have to struggle so much to get the same laws applied to them? A marriage certificate is not consent. In states like Michigan, Idaho, and South Carolina rape in a marriage requires it to be mor severe. But this is not right rape is rape. There shouldn’t have to be something else that complicates the implications of the law. The fact that these laws have not been changed shows how sexual assault laws and cases need to have more priority in the courts. Because sexual assault and rape happens a lot, and all the time. So many women, men, and kids experience this trauma everyday and the way that the justice system has handled this needs to be improved. It is important to always spread awareness and to help support victims. But it is also important to put a spotlight on our politicians and ask them just how they are going to handle this issue.
The Filtered Life
By: Siri Tanvi Atmakuri
By: Siri Tanvi Atmakuri
In the olden days, there was poetry about beauty; now there’s a new product for everything and nothing every day. Pretty ornaments and silks that were draped over people; now trends consume them. Beauty was compared to goddesses and nature, but now there are bars, standards, unattainable yet perfectly curated by “relatable” influencers, and somehow nothing fits right, and it always moves higher as you think it is attained by you. So, is beauty really timeless?
The modern market has constantly exploited different insecurities to gain more capital. Through colorism products such as Fair & Lovely, cosmetic medical procedures, weight-loss industries, and fast-changing beauty trends, companies encourage overconsumption and shape people's self-worth, revealing how beauty standards function as both a cultural construct and a profitable system of control.
The concept of “beauty standards” existed long before influencers, and sometimes even before the West had colonized the ideals. Each region has these rather “perfections” of a female, for example, in ancient India, the body type was a S- figure (Hourglass), dusky shades were related to the pure heart, thick braided hair, big kohl-filled eyes, and subtly shaded lips. And these standards were mostly based on folklore pertaining to that region. Like in the West, they attuned pale skin to wealth. But later on, tan skin became the ideal, which was popularized on a large scale in the 2000s. The same goes on with body types; the trends switched from really thin bodies in the 2010s to right now, where it’s more body inclusive, and they keep changing, thanks to globalization (which is when most of the world wanted to be like the West, which was after colonization).
On the topic of globalization, many cosmetics and surgeries have become available to people. The markets started inventing problems for their solutions. The self-worth of women became tied so badly to appearance and the affirmations of strangers. Advertising plays a key role in this. “Plastic” surgeries became very popular to reduce these so-called flaws on their bodies. Originally Botox was invented to relax overactive muscles and treat muscle spasms, but right now it is used as a cosmetic treatment to reduce wrinkles that appear with time. Many surgeries, such as lip fillers and facelifts, aren’t necessary unless it’s really a problem. Rhinoplasty was done to fix noses that are broken or that couldn’t help a person breathe, but now, people use it to get whatever nose shape is trending. And there are serious diets in industries to reduce weight and make people fit into the standards that 90% of the population doesn’t fit unless intentionally altered. Surgeries and weight-loss programs that are used for people who have excessive BMI are being used to reduce their appetite. There was a cotton ball trend where people ate cotton balls to lose weight. Ice diets in the K-pop industry, or eating one meal per ten days, cause eating disorders. These surgeries cause nerve scars and other problems within, and psychologically destroy a person, just for the sake of appearance.
When it comes to these trends, there are also racialized beauty ideals. For example, Fair & Lovely (now Glow & Lovely) is a popular South Asian skin-lightening brand that rebranded in 2020 by removing "fair" and "whitening" references following immense backlash. The brand faced criticism for perpetuating racist stereotypes and promoting colorism. Some Chinese and East Asian brands have bleach as an ingredient to whiten the skin, and if used regularly, it could cause skin cancer.
There’s also the aspect of fast trends. Like fast fashion, these trends are constantly changing, making people buy things they do not need. Social Media is the primary channel for marketing these trends. These not only show products but also point out flaws that do not exist. The Jenner effect and Hailey Bieber’s “trends”. More examples like sunglass waist, legging legs, thigh gaps, anti-aging straws that prevent creases in your lips, A4 waist challenge, iPhone and knee, hips and dips, etc., are throwing people into a rabbit hole to attain perfection, when no perfection can be attained, as everyone is unique in their own way. With skin types and hair types, one must know what works for them and stick with it, instead of trying to be everyone’s cup of tea. From ten-step skin care routines to FOMO, these trends and company stocks are fueled by the pure psychology of consumers.
Changes in trends over two decades have changed drastically. The 1900s to 2000s were mainly for the “pop princess” look with tanned skin, glossy lips, and colourful clothing and eyeshadow. 2010 was a drastic change, where full-glam and matte looks were popular, with bold looks and extra contour. In the present times, the trend changes like every day: from glass skin to clean girl aesthetics there’s almost everything for everyone. Though the industry pivoted towards sustainability, ethical sourcing, and inclusivity (e.g., 40+ shade ranges) helps capture modern, conscious consumers.
Fast Beauty also leads to overconsumption, which is a huge problem for the environment. Just because it’s your money, you have to be mindful about what you buy and the quantity you buy. As people tend to buy more lip-products at the time of recession, that doesn’t mean that the economy is doing well, right? As the market pushes people to buy more frequently, you have to be the judge if you really need that lip oil or if you can make do with your gloss. The industry produces at least 120 billion pieces of packaging annually, 95% of which is thrown away. Single-use plastics, including pumps and caps, often end up in landfills or waterways, contributing to microplastic pollution. Ingredients like parabens, silicones, and sulfates wash down drains and into ecosystems, harming marine life. Also, many brands fake the jumping rabbit for non-animal cruelty, meaning they’re also harmful to animals, and many chemicals harm our own skin as well after prolonged use. The production, packaging, and international shipping of these products release significant greenhouse gases, contributing to the increase in global temperature.
And as for human effects, rather than the ones talked about above, the demographics of these consumers are the ones to consider. Women aged 18-34 are identified as the demographic most likely to be "heavy buyers," purchasing over ten types of products a year. Meaning the ones that have been seeing the trends as teens, now with more buying capacity, are going to try to achieve the standards. Even if there’s inclusivity and awareness, some things are normalized, and it takes major changes to undo them.
This consumerism and standards help the companies, and ultimately, they are the ones creating these “problems” and products. The Vogue article talks about how the searches correlate with the buys, leading to the brand’s popularity (if the brand is popular, then people are going to buy it). Like, Sol de Janeiro is called a sustained riser, causing popularity among teens & pre-teens, and YoY increase being 86.9%. The entire beauty industry is estimated to grow at an annual rate of 3.24% to 8.4%. The margin being 70% to 90% of Botox. The US is expected to be dominant and reach $105B to $108B. Online sales only make up 30% of this revenue. The market has to adjust to the economic times and switch its strategies as they usually face about $86B of losses. With the backlash and losses, it is still a highly profitable business sector, with projections estimated to reach $700B by 2026, and the profit margin reaching 58%.
All in all, with everything changing and as trends tend to pass, we must pick something unique to us and stick with it. As your style was a trend that stuck around with you. That way, your mindset cannot be exploited by marketing tactics, and you’ll feel relief after buying the products that you need, without the need for approval by a stranger.
Works Cited
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1acO4CivKFMFrbNfFrf7x51NaBvrkQ-sTSDGu5dBVE8s/edit?usp=sharing
Ink, Voice and Legacy
By: Nora Kovacevic
The Harlem Renaissance, a vibrant period of cultural and intellectual flourishing in the 1920s and 1930s, is often remembered through the works of prominent male figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes. However, the contributions of women during this era were equally significant, though frequently overlooked. These women defied societal expectations, challenged racial and gender stereotypes, and left an indelible mark on the movement. Exploring the lives and works of these lesser-known figures reveals a more complete and nuanced understanding of the Harlem Renaissance and its lasting impact.
One such figure is Nella Larsen, a novelist whose works explored the complexities of racial identity and the experiences of mixed-race women in America. Her novels, such as "Quicksand" and "Passing," delved into the psychological and social challenges faced by individuals navigating the color line. Larsen's writing offered a critical examination of the societal pressures and personal struggles that shaped the lives of black women during the Harlem Renaissance. Similarly, Jessie Redmon Fauset, a literary editor and writer, played a crucial role in nurturing the talents of many Harlem Renaissance writers. As the literary editor of The Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP, Fauset provided a platform for emerging black writers, including Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. Her own novels, such as "There is Confusion" and "Plum Bun," explored themes of class, color, and identity within the black community.
Another notable woman of the Harlem Renaissance was Zora Neale Hurston, a folklorist, anthropologist, and writer. Hurston's work celebrated the richness and diversity of black culture, particularly in the rural South. Her most famous novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," told the story of a black woman's journey to self-discovery and empowerment. Hurston's unique blend of folklore, anthropology, and fiction captured the essence of black life in America and challenged prevailing stereotypes. Furthermore, women like Augusta Savage, a sculptor, and Bessie Smith, a blues singer, made significant contributions to the artistic landscape of the Harlem Renaissance. Savage's sculptures captured the beauty and dignity of black subjects, while Smith's powerful voice and emotive performances helped to popularize blues music and celebrate black culture.
In conclusion, the women of the Harlem Renaissance were not merely footnotes in history but rather essential contributors to the movement's intellectual and artistic vitality. Through their writing, art, and activism, they challenged societal norms, celebrated black culture, and paved the way for future generations of black women. Recognizing and honoring their contributions is essential for a more complete and accurate understanding of the Harlem Renaissance and its enduring legacy.
"Who Gets Believed"
By Carmen Sanchez
Social, cultural, and media representations can greatly influence how sexual assault survivors are treated and believed. How society talks about supporting sexual assault survivors does not always match reality. Many survivors report experiencing victim-blaming, doubt about their credibility, and stigma. These responses to sexual assault are deeply rooted in cultural narratives that are based on widely held beliefs about gender, behavior, and what makes a believable victim.
There is perhaps no more damaging pattern of inaccuracy when it comes to issues of sexual assault than that of victim-blaming. Rather than addressing the perpetrator’s actions and motivations, those who mistakenly equate sexual assault with rape instead seek to question the clothing or behavior of the victim prior to the assault. They may imply that the victim’s actions somehow put them in danger or led to the perpetrator’s behavior. These shifts in focus from the perpetrator to the victim can have very real and long-lasting consequences. In the case of the trial of Brock Turner at Stanford University for the assault of a woman while she was unconscious, much of the public’s attention was diverted away from the severity of the assault and instead focused on the victim’s drinking and behavior. This misplaced focus relies on inaccurate and damaging perceptions of sexual assault and its victims.
One problem survivors of sexual assault frequently encounter is the perception that they should act a certain way and be believed instantly. People often imagine a “real” victim reporting an assault straight away, exhibiting overt signs of distress, or recounting a clear narrative of events. However, the trauma responses of assault survivors can take many different forms and not always fit into these preconceived notions. Delayed reporting or confusion may be misinterpreted for deception, as was the case with the allegations leveled against Harvey Weinstein. It wasn’t until multiple women corroborated similar experiences that many survivors’ accounts were believed.
Media coverage of sexual assault also shapes public perceptions of sexual assault and can work to further oppress survivors. While some media coverage can be helpful in raising awareness of sexual violence and pointing to the need for policy change, more often than not coverage of sexual assault cases is overly sensationalized, and sometimes even based on irrelevant details such as the survivor’s clothing, past relationships, and/or social media activity. In some cases, the initial media framing of an incident can actually cast doubt on a survivor before all of the facts have come to light. This can create a culture where sexual assault survivors feel as though they have to prove that a sexual assault occurred, rather than receiving immediate support.
In addition to these difficulties, stigma must also be addressed. Survivors may be afraid of being judged, isolated, or blamed by their family and friends for what happened. Often this stigma stems from common yet problematic stereotypes about sex and gender based on notions of purity, and perceptions of a woman’s character being tied to her behavior. In many communities, not only is the act of sexual assault a betrayal, but its aftermath can also affect a survivor’s standing in the community.
Though there is much pushback and skepticism around issues of sexual violence and harassment, there is also a growing movement to challenge cultural norms and begin to address these issues. Movements like #MeToo are sparking important conversations around sexual violence, encouraging survivors to share their stories and fostering a greater understanding of the prevalence of these issues. High-profile cases and stories are forcing institutions such as media, politics, and business to reexamine their current policies and procedures around addressing sexual harassment and violence, as well as how to best support survivors.
Culture's Response to Sexual Assault Survivors: A Challenge to Underlying Beliefs. Victim-blaming, attacking the credibility of sexual assault survivors, stigmatising them, and otherwise refusing them their rights are not ephemeral phenomena. They are nurtured by powerful media messages and deeply ingrained social norms. But these policy and practice issues can only be addressed by ensuring criminal accountability and by fostering a culture that provides fair, humane, and affirming practices and policies. Survivors do not need to prove themselves worthy of credibility, respect, and belief. Focus should be placed on holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions. Focus and efforts should be placed on building a system that provides survivors with fair, humane, and respectful treatment and policies.
Works Cited
Works Cited
Bazelon, Emily. Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration. Random House, 2019. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/553138/charged-by-emily-bazelon/
Callimachi, Rukmini, et al. “Brock Turner Sexual Assault Case Coverage.” The New York Times, 2016.https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/us/brock-turner-blamed-drinking-and-promiscuity-in-sexual-assault-at-stanford.htmlFarrow,
7Ron. “From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Tell Their Stories.” The New Yorker, 2017. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-stories
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). “Reporting Rates and Statistics.” https://www.rainn.org/statistics
Schwirtz, Michael, and Victoria Kim. “How the #MeToo Movement Spread Around the World.” The New York Times, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/05/world/metoo-global.html
World Health Organization (WHO). “Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates.” https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
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