WGST305_SP26

In lib Jackson there was the What Were You Wearing exhibit, it was extremely impactful and emotional. Many people often make the assumption that sexual assault happens because of what someone is wearing, especially when clothing is considered “provocative.” However, the outfits displayed proved that this idea is completely false. The clothing shown ranged from sweaty workout clothes and jeans to casual outfits and formal wear, demonstrating that sexual assault is never caused by clothing choices. The display made it clear that rape is about power, control, and the perpetrator’s decision to inflict harm, not about what the victim was wearing. Seeing the wide variety of outfits was heartbreaking because it showed how easily society places blame on victims instead of focusing on the actions of the perpetrator. The exhibit challenged harmful stereotypes and forced people to confront the reality that sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, style, or circumstance. I think the...

 I don't know about y'all but these gas prices skyrocketting to above $4.00 is crazy with how the economy is. The rise in gas prices has become a major topic in the past couple weeks. While many people joke about the prices increasing online, the issue is causing distress on daily life and the economy. As gas prices are increasing, families and students are having to spend more money on getting to places and less money on entertainment, shopping and travel. The use of social media has also made the increase of gas prices more visible. Many influencers are posting the expensive gas receipts and connect people to share their frustration and connect over shared struggles. I have been watching my gas spending habits a lot more since this whole gas situation has started and try to keep gas in my car so i don't have to spend more money than needed. 

  For my first show and tell, I am presenting my free verse poem titled “Who I Am” which is the second iteration of a free verse poem I submitted to The Rage magazine on-campus. This free verse poem perfectly defines how I feel as a transgender woman not only in the south but in America. It is a constant fight between both sides/communities as they each try to mold me into their ideal trans-woman. I was lost in an endless cycle of toxic psychological, emotional, and verbal abuse that it was to escape from those metaphysical shackles. I did not want to be defined by my exterior. I did not want people to write my life story based on what I am lacking physically. I want people to recognize me for my strength, my journey, my resilience, and everything it took to get me here. Being transgender for me is not just about transitioning, but also transcending.  For my second show and tell, I am presenting a painting I did on a live lily titled “Gentle Warrior.” This idea came from when ...

 The Trump administration is trying to block Minnesota’s climate lawsuit against major oil companies like ExxonMobil, Koch Industries, and the American Petroleum Institute. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison originally filed the lawsuit in 2020, claiming the companies misled the public about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Justice argues that only the federal government, not individual states, has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases and climate policy. Ellison criticized the move, saying the Trump administration is protecting Big Oil instead of the public. This comes as Trump continues pushing for more domestic energy production and rolling back climate regulations, including reversing a major EPA finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health. Trump is also proposing to cut the budget for the national park service to $736 million, which is statistically 95% of national preservation funding. The Courier Newsroom about a week ago sha...

 I’ve seen the Michael movie twice now, and the biggest thing that stuck with me isn’t even the music or performances, it’s how people are still holding onto the idea that Michael Jackson “wanted to be white.” It’s honestly frustrating at this point. The film makes it clear, just like it’s been known for years, that he had Vitiligo, which affects skin pigmentation. That’s not speculation, it’s a medical condition he publicly spoke about. What really gets me is that even after he died, reports confirmed that he did in fact have vitiligo, so it’s not like this is new information or something people can debate. It’s been verified. Yet somehow, people still ignore that and continue pushing the same narrative. At that point, it feels less like a misunderstanding and more like people choosing to believe what they want. Watching the movie just made that more obvious to me. Instead of focusing on his artistry, impact, and everything he contributed, people keep circling back to something th...

The N-word is not just slang, it is rooted in a long history of violence, oppression, and dehumanization of Black people. That context doesn’t disappear simply because it’s said casually, jokingly, or in a song. One of the biggest issues in these situations is the gap between intent and impact. A student might not intend to harm anyone by saying the word, especially if they believe they’re using it in a “non-racist” way. But impact matters more than intent. For many Black students, hearing that word, especially from non-Black peers, can be alienating, uncomfortable, and even traumatizing. It reinforces the idea that their campus may not be as safe or welcoming as it claims to be. There’s also a larger cultural conversation happening here. The normalization of the N-word in music, social media, and pop culture has blurred boundaries for some people. But consuming culture is not the same as having the right to participate in every aspect of it. Just because a word is present in a song do...