By Clove Morgan You have one decision to make: love or leadership? You can only choose one or the other. If you pick love, you’re weak and anti-feminist. If you pick leadership, you’re cold-hearted and bitter. In the past, love was all a woman seemed fit for. We were born and raised to be future homemakers, devoted wives, and doting mothers. It was our only option until decades of feminism and the various waves of political movements that have gotten us to the point where we are today. Then, of course, the expectations for women flipped on its head. The next big thing on the horizon for girls was to be a leader, strong and resilient with no need for romance. But why can’t we have both? It was just a century ago that exclusively white women gained the right to vote in the United States. From there, it was a hard-fought battle that lasted decades for women of color to take their own rights and exercise them to the same ability they have today. Even with the activism and ongoing fight against gender-based discrimination, women face plenty of social and workplace prejudice. There are still misogynist ideals that linger and have a platform that directly harms women–the expectations of care-taking and being adaptive to every demand or scenario thrown at them. In the past, women needed to tend to the house, husband, and children. There were social standards that demanded a woman sacrifice her individuality in order to fit into a predestined role. However, as women began forcing their way out of the house and into the professional world, it became more common to see women in the office and educational spaces. Thus, the normalization of women in higher education, male-dominated industries, and positions of socio-political power came to pass. Yet, being taken seriously continues to be a struggle faced by women in academics and in their careers. They often need to make sure their presence is palatable to their colleagues and higher-ups. The media saw women’s desire to be leaders and took that as their sign to change their treatment of women in film to appeal to their audience. Suddenly, girls in movies didn’t want or need to be saved by a man–but rather be heroines taking on the world all on their own. Frozen and the leading lady, Elsa, began a literal snowball effect for the young girls to grow up with powerful role models. Disney, in particular, began going in a brand new direction from their early “saved by the prince” days–creating iconic characters like Moana, Merida, Tiana, and more that either didn’t end up with a romantic interest or were not rescued by one. Then, the fabled word “girlboss” comes into play. Though it is now often used in an exclusively ironic way, there was a time when it was genuine, and some people still see it as such. For the sake of this piece, just walk with me here. There was a fixation in the 2010s feminist era that zeroed in on what it meant to be a “girlboss.” It warrants plenty of criticism through the current lens of feminism, but at the time, it was the highest compliment as being a girlboss meant owning your power as a girl. As people outgrew the term, the idealization of being an individual feminine powerhouse remained just under a different presentation. Feminism became packaged as a female lead with no weaknesses for romance and only strength in their capabilities. We were told we could do anything, be anything; in fact, we had to be everything. A message you would think is great for young girls wanting to grow up confident in themselves. But then there was me and girls like me. We grew up adoring romance, craving and giving love as though it was the most valuable thing. Seeing women be strong was great, but I also began to question if wanting romance was okay. Aurora from Sleeping Beauty was my favorite princess, with a whopping sixteen lines in the film and Prince Phillip saving her to boot; she wasn’t exactly an icon of feminism as I grew up. Something about her story, though, I absolutely loved. It was the simplicity of wanting love–nothing more and nothing less–and living in a little cottage surrounded by animals and nature. Her life pre-sleep seemed like a dream come true, and that ending scene was just stunning. With the live-action Snow White film on the horizon, the film has been receiving some criticism on social media for being faux-feminist as the “girlboss” mentality has been dying out. Those a part of the film have said in interviews that it is no longer like the original, that the princess does not need saving or love. Gen Z has begun reshaping what it means to be a feminist once again, claiming that women don’t need to be a leader 100% of the time to be respected. We should simply be allowed to exist, warranting respect as a person first. The demand that a woman needs to lead or establish her power in order to gain the acknowledgment she deserves poses a similar issue from the past, just packaged in a new way. We still need to prove ourselves, just for a different reason entirely. That’s why Gen Z is transforming expectations for women. We should be able to decide for ourselves what we want and how we want it without owing people an explanation. There is no reason for girls and women to have to only pick one between romance and respect. They aren’t mutually exclusive. So, when asked to pick between the two, consider how they are really different. I find power in love and have learned to lead with it; they are synonymous to me. Besides, who says you owe anyone an answer?

By Clove Morgan You can say it, your best wasn’t good enough. It is way more common than you think. People can try as hard as they can and do as much as they please; their efforts can still amount to unfavorable outcomes. I spent my whole life at the top of my class. I always made the honor roll, my extracurriculars involved academics, and I took as many APs and college courses as I could. Now, as a college student, where I have shifted from youth to the professional world, I am no longer the best. But that’s okay. It just took me a long time to understand that not being the best doesn’t dictate my value. I have a hard time distinguishing my self-worth from my success in education. I was trademarked “the smart girl” by my high school friends. Not the pretty, fun, or popular one, but the smart one, and that was a reputation that I had to uphold. I had to be quiet, serious, maybe sardonic at times. I needed to fit the expectations people had of me and, by extension, the standard I had set for myself. All of a sudden, 93% meant the end of the world, and I silenced the silly side of my personality as though it was a punished child in time-out. I lost a lot of the best things in my life trying to be an extreme version of myself and missed out on even more—friendships, relationships, major events like proms, grad parties, etc. But I figured it would all be worth it—to what end, I didn’t know. College came around, and I attended an art school for dramatic writing where being the best in academics didn’t really matter. We had to take general education classes, but our foundations were things like design, drawing, and digital arts programs. But I’m a writer. I can’t draw; all of that talent went to my sister. There was no way, in a sea of budding artists that specialized in every art medium, that I could be the best anymore. I faced my first B in years in the base-level drawing class required for my major. I was devastated and had my first college-scale anxiety attack from the pressure of having to do something I wasn’t good at. Art doesn’t come naturally to me; I can’t study Quizlet sets until my eyes burn to learn how to properly shade an egg (a drawing I got a 77% on, by the way). I chose my classes and professors intentionally, guaranteeing my success from the blunder of my first quarter in university. At the price of my mental and social health, I withheld urges to explore my new city and attend parties in favor of staying in, studying, or rewatching Pretty Little Liars for the fifth time. I couldn’t be the one that had friends and went out, I was the stay-at-home-smart-friend. I didn’t know how to be social anyway. I felt I had missed the trial period in high school, where I could gain the footing of my going-out persona. At some point, friends from class started dragging me out to movie nights and restaurants, and I got a taste of what it meant to have a life beyond school. In spite of this, I still had to be on top of everything, and my perfectionism seeped out into other facets of my life, too. I was in relationships that made me feel as though I had to be the best and perfect partner at all times. I needed to be the ideal girlfriend that was willing to do anything, and everything asked of me, kind and caring at all times—obedient. My voice was snuffed out because I was so afraid that standing up for myself would mean losing all that I had worked so hard for. There is so much pressure on young people, especially those who are femininely aligned, to be perfect. You have to have stellar grades, make money, be an exemplary partner/child/friend/etc. It’s just not possible when you’re not being yourself. I sacrificed everything, most of all my identity. In the end, I was rejected by a lot of the things I thought would make or break me. Relationships end, tests are failed, and job applications aren’t accepted. It is a necessary inevitability that rejection will happen to all of us. Then why does it hurt so much? We all have been faced with rejection in some regard. Whether it’s being last picked on a playground kickball team, not hearing back from an employer, or hitting a cone during your driver’s test. All of these are mundane things that happen every single day to thousands of people. As a teenager, there is so much on our shoulders: preconceived standards we are still getting used to and the mountain of our future in front of us to climb. You have to learn your own limits and not let the fear of rejection force you to put your well-being aside. Over the past few years, I have been an array of different versions of myself. Just about the only thing they have in common is the fear of rejection, something even the current me has. You won’t ever be perfect; striving for it is equally unattainable. Going so long without a break to ease your stress can only end with rejection—the primary one being self-rejection—neglect of yourself and your needs. It is best to learn now how to see beyond the negative feelings associated with being turned away, visualizing instead the different possibilities you may have now that you are free to look in another direction. This isn’t a how-to guide on how to deal with rejection; you can’t give advice about something you haven’t learned how to do, after all. But we all feel that similar fear, and it is something to be conquered by the parts of your life that have survived every trial up until the present—you are more than rejection as you are the one that thrives despite it.

By Marium Tariq Source Imagine living in a magical world where crayons aren't just for coloring inside the lines but for drawing your very own map. Where your guitar is not just wood and strings but a passport to melodies that speak your heart's language? Or how about a blank page, not as a void, but as a canvas where your words can paint the most beautiful pictures? Welcome to Zhive’s realm of teen empowerment through art! 🎨🎵📚 A place where insecurity packs its bags and heads for the hills, where self-doubt gets a one-way ticket to hell, and where confidence and creativity throw the best block parties. Yep, we're diving into a world where artistic expression isn't just a pastime; it's a superpower, and we've got the scoop on how you… yes, YOU can tap into it. So, grab your favorite paintbrush, strum that guitar, and dust off that journal because we're about to embark on a journey where art isn't just a hobby; it's your key to empowerment. Let's get started! 🚀✨🎸 Behold The Power Of Art: 3 Benefits of Creative Outlets Sure, your mom’s narcissistic friend thinks dancing is not a real career, but you know what? There are loads of science-backed reasons you can hip-hop in her face to let her know she is WRONG! Here are 3 to help you get started: Confidence Boost When you're rocking your artistic prowess, your brain releases all those feel-good chemicals like dopamine. It's like a mini-celebration happening inside your head. Your brain is all, "Wow, you're amazing at this!" And that's how your confidence skyrockets. You start to believe in yourself more than you believe in the existence of unicorns. Stress-Busting Art Here's where cortisol, our stress hormone, comes into play. Creative outlets, be it painting, acting, or composing, help keep cortisol in check. Lower stress levels? Heck yes! It's like art's secret mission is to send stress packing, leaving you as cool as a cucumber in a creative garden. Brain Gains (Yes, Really!) Science has shown that engaging in creative activities can stimulate different parts of your brain, fostering neural connections and cognitive growth. In simpler terms, it's like giving your brain a mini-workout. You might even surprise yourself with newfound problem-solving skills and fresh perspectives. Who knew creativity could make you smarter, right? 🧠 Source Exploring Different Art Forms: Where Creative Horizons Expand! The world of art is vast and open to all, no matter who you are or where you come from. It's a canvas where everyone's unique stories and perspectives can shine. Let's explore a variety of art forms that are as diverse as the colors in a rainbow, each offering a unique path to self-expression and empowerment. Visual Arts - Paint Your World: Whether you're a seasoned artist or just dipping your brush for the first time, visual arts are your canvas to shine. Express yourself through painting, drawing, sculpting, or even digital art. No matter your background, the art world welcomes you with open arms. 🎨✨ Music and Performing Arts - Find Your Rhythm: Singing, playing, dancing, acting, and performing are like a universal language that transcends barriers. Whether you're playing a keyboard or stepping into the spotlight, the stage is yours to conquer. 🎸🎭 Writing and Literature - Words That Soar: The beauty of writing is that it knows no boundaries. Poetry, short stories, journaling –- your words can create worlds and touch hearts. Use your stories and experiences to bring a change and make this world a better place. 📝📖 Digital Media and Design - Pixels and Possibilities: In the digital age, creativity knows no borders. From graphic design to photography to digital storytelling, technology connects us all. Dive into the world of digital media and design, where your ideas can flourish, and you can make your mark. 📷💻 Source Turning Your Passion Into A Profession: 10 Practical Tips for Teens Interested in Art Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-expression? We’ve got your back! Pursuing your artistic passion can be a fantastic adventure, but we know it's not always a walk in the park. You get criticism, rejections, self-doubt, and whatnot, right? Here are some tips to help you navigate those creative hurdles and unlock your full potential: Believe in Yourself: First and foremost, remember that you've got talent and creativity bubbling inside you. Self-doubt? Tell it to take a hike! Your unique perspective and ideas are what make your art special. Set Realistic Goals: Start small, dream big. It's okay not to create a masterpiece on your first try. Set achievable goals and celebrate each tiny victory along the way. It's like leveling up in a video game; Every.Achievement.Counts. Don't Fear Mistakes: Art is all about experimenting, and mistakes are your greatest teachers. Embrace the quirks, imperfections, and unexpected surprises that happen along the way. Sometimes, the "oops" moments lead to your most brilliant "ahas.” Find Your Tribe: Seek out like-minded folks who share your love for art. Whether it's a local art class, an online community, or your supportive friends and family, having a creative tribe can provide motivation, inspiration, and a safety net when you're feeling stuck. Practice, Practice, Practice: Art is a skill, and skills improve with practice. Make it a daily habit, like brushing your teeth or scrolling through memes. The more you practice, the better you become and the more confident you feel. Learn From Others: Don't be shy about learning from the greats. Study the works of artists you admire, attend workshops, and watch tutorials. Art history is full of inspiration and valuable lessons. Embrace Rejection: Not every artwork will be a hit, and not every opportunity will pan out. Rejection is just part of the journey. Use it as a stepping stone to push your creativity further. Stay Curious: The world is your creative oyster. Stay curious, explore new techniques, experiment with different art forms, and draw inspiration from everyday life. Keep your artistic fire burning bright. Take Breaks: Don't forget to pause and recharge. Creative burnout is a real thing. Taking breaks and nurturing your mental health are essential for a long-lasting love affair with art. Share Your Art: Don't keep your creativity hidden away. Share your work with the world, whether it's through social media, exhibitions, or sharing with friends. Your art has the power to inspire others, too. Remember, the creative journey is uniquely yours, and there's no right or wrong way to do it. So, grab your tools, let your imagination run wild, and create the art that's been brewing in your heart. You've got this, and the world can't wait to see your talent shine! 🎨💫🚀 Source The Takeaway As we wrap up this artistic adventure, remember that the world of art is your playground, your sanctuary, and your source of empowerment. Whether you're painting your dreams, singing your heart out, or writing your stories, your creativity knows no bounds. So, believe in yourself, embrace your unique journey, and never stop creating. The hurdles you face will only make you stronger, and the art you create will speak volumes about your inner strength. And hey, if you're eager to connect with fellow teen artists and share your art with a supportive community, we've got just the place for you. Join the Zhive community, where teen artists like you gather to learn, inspire, and create in a safe, supportive space. Your art deserves to be celebrated, and your voice deserves to be heard. Let's empower each other, one brushstroke, note, or word at a time. Your masterpiece is just a click away! 🎨🎵📚🌟 Source

By Julia Stitely In her recent interview with Rolling Stone, Olivia Rodrigo praised Michelle Zauner’s memoir Crying in H Mart as one of her favorite books, calling the book “fantastic” and stating it “fucking destroyed” her. A part of the book discusses the complexity of being Asian in America and especially being Half Asian, Half White, which Olivia is, and not fitting into a binary of either White or Asian. Executive Office of the President of the United States Link to License Rodrigo’s discography has always connected to teenage girls but especially girls of color. On her first album, SOUR, songs like “Jealously Jealously,” “Drivers License,” and “enough for you” have lyrics that emphasize Rodrigo and other women of color’s pressures of the Euro ethnic beauty standard. In Madison Foote’s in-depth article, “Olivia Rodrigo Is Filipino, and Why It’s a Big Deal,” she examines these lyrics through the lens of being a woman of color and the comparison between white counterparts. Specifically, in Rodrigo’s breakout hit, “Drivers License,” the lyrics “And you’re probably with that blonde girl/Who always made me doubt/She’s so much older than me/She’s everything I’m insecure about” propels the comparison that Rodrigo is making to her ex’s current girlfriend who is White. However, the media made assumptions that the song was about the “Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Joshua Bassett” love triangle, taking away from the focus of Rodrigo’s heartbreaking lyrics. Sadly, the rumor took front and center of her debut album instead of just focusing on Rodrigo’s insecurities. This steams into her second album, GUTS, which has already garnered critical acclaim. When asked about who her song “Lacy” on her sophomore album is about, Olivia Rodrigo answered that “Just all my songs are about me and just how I feel. I don’t know.” In response, Zoe, the Twitter user, @adorkablyswift wrote: “Olivia Rodrigo is a half Filipino girl who grew up in a predominantly white area of the US where the beauty standard has been blonde hair blue eyes. Lacy is most likely about her feelings of not fitting into that beauty standard.” The song “Lacy” is about Rodrigo comparing herself to “Lacy,” who has “skin like puff pastry.” The emphasization of her white skin tone and Rodrigo’s choice of words like “worship you” and “you poison every little that I do” creates a jealous tone of not fitting the standard. However, many White viewers have taken this song to queerwash and assume Olivia’s sexuality. Not only is it dangerous to assume someone’s sexuality and feel like that information is entitled to anyone except the person themself, it is careless to erase the racism that people of color, especially women of color, have to face due to White beauty standards but also the beauty standards of being a woman. Credit: zacleonardi on DeviantArt Link to License “Pretty isn’t Pretty” could be said to be Jealously, Jealously’s cousin. In “Jealously, Jealously,” Rodrigo directly compares herself to people she sees on the internet: All your friends are so cool, you go out every night In your daddy's nice car, yeah, you're living the life Got a pretty face, a pretty boyfriend too I wanna be you so bad, and I don't even know you All I see is what I should be Happier, prettier, jealousy, jealousy. However, with “Pretty isn’t Pretty,” it’s more about the world around and those standards that are created. The chorus of the song is: When pretty isn't pretty enough, what do you do? And everybody's keepin' it up, so you think it's you I could change up my body and change up my face I could try every lipstick in every shade But I'd always feel the same 'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough. There’s still a comparison between the expectations but moreso, Rodrigo blames those expectations more than the people that showcase those thoughts. The ways we relate and interpret songs can be different from each other. That’s the beauty of interpretation. However, sometimes interpretations can take away from the main message from its lyrics of the song and allow for assumptions of the artist.

By Summer Wrenn If you had a childhood anything like mine and grew up in a small town with limited things to do, then you were also probably used to resorting to the same three hangout options: driving around, getting food/shopping, or going to the movies. Driving around could get repetitive, food and shopping sometimes feel like a waste of money, but there was never a moment that I wasn’t willing to drop a dime on a movie ticket. Some of my most fond childhood memories include visits to the movie theater. In some, I’m with my parents, hoping not to be surprised by an awkward love scene. In others, I appear to be a pregnant child with a large stomach that is actually just a three-pound bag of candy I’m sneaking in under my jacket. Although I can appreciate the comfort of watching a movie from home, there is something special about watching a movie the way it was intended to be watched in a dark room with enhanced sound. Unlike a movie on your laptop or TV at home, there is no remote, no button to hit pause. I’ve found comfort in this required undivided attention, which gives me an escape from the outside world, even if for two hours. Throughout every visit, I never fail to be wowed by the magic of the movie theater. Socially, the movie theater is also an incredibly unique space. In what other circumstance would you be sitting in a room with so many people so different from yourself? You could be sitting next to a doctor, two rows down from a mechanic, five rows away from a mother bringing her children to experience their first movie; your town’s mayor could even be in row eight. Not only is this diversity in people so unique, but the fact that, despite whatever social, ethnic, or personal differences you may have, you are all sharing a laugh, a cry, anxiousness, frustration, or whatever emotion the film causes you to feel. In my opinion, the most beautiful power of the movie theater is the power to unite. In the past few years, we’ve seen this power be threatened by the COVID pandemic. 2020 saw a 26% decline in physical entertainment revenue from the year prior. Large theater chains and indie movie theaters alike were forced to close their doors amidst calls to stay inside and avoid places of gathering. It was also the driving force in studies showing that 61% of Americans did not go to the movies in 2021. 2020 was a hard year for a plethora of reasons, but not being able to enjoy the movie theater experience was a big loss for me, personally. I, along with the rest of the world, quickly had to adapt to watching movies at home. Simultaneously, these at-home viewing habits gave rise to the industry giant we know today: streaming services. With a 33% increase in the digital home entertainment market in 2021, the rise of the streaming service industry has not faltered, being that 83% of Americans are currently paying for video-on-demand subscription services. Being one of these 83% myself, it’s hard not to deny all of the benefits that streaming services offer. They’re convenient, they constantly switch out content, they contain a collection of media ranging in age and genre, and provide something movie theaters do not: television. I can appreciate a good Netflix, Hulu, or Max binge moment, but I find it important to see the challenges these companies bring to a decades-old social tradition of visiting the theater. In a time where the world has never been so politically divisive, I think it’s important to surround yourself and share pure entertainment with others unlike yourself. In the Summer of 2023, I witnessed this opportunity in full force. If you stepped foot in the movie theater any time after July, you were likely met with a swarm of hot pink or grungy dark outfits. Barbenheimer (the same-day release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer) was a moment of entertainment unity that brought together the likes of Christopher Nolan fans and young Barbie toy admirers. Having completed the five-hour movie marathon in one day myself, I couldn’t help but feel joy at the sense of excitement in the movie theater lobby. People who had never met each other were discussing their favorite Barbies, how they unexpectedly cried in the film, laughed, and danced. Others joked about needing to mentally prepare for the dark plot of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer that they were seeing directly after. For a moment, things felt right again. It was as if movie theaters never went on a two-year hiatus. I suddenly felt back in my childhood again, experiencing the excitement of a new movie with a group of strangers and walking out of the movie theater, feeling somehow changed. I look forward to these feelings each time I visit the theater. I’m the type of person who doesn’t mind going alone for the sake of a good movie, but I also truly value sharing the experience with a friend or family member. Movies can be a common ground for different people, an unexpected bonding experience, and viewing them in a movie theater can enhance that experience. There is much speculation as to whether or not movie theaters will stand the test of time. Some people think streaming services will take over, corporate giants will rule over the movie-viewing experience, and theaters will be left as a fragment of the past. Others believe the experience is timeless and will find a future coexisting with the at-home movie experience. Truly, I don’t know what will happen. No amount of research or professional predictions can ever be said. But I will never not enjoy the dark, absorbing experience of the movie theater. It is an experience that has grown my love for film and cultivated my passion for working with movies myself someday. It is a great part of who I am, and I hope that others can find themselves in these experiences and push, with great effort, to keep movie theaters alive.

By Julia Stitely When I saw Emma Seligman’s sophomore film, Bottoms, being promoted as Fight Club meets Heathers, I was in between it. Not only because I was excited about the film but also because comparing a film to Heathers, my favorite film of all time, is a hard standard to reach. Sure, there are plenty of films that have marketed themselves as the next Heathers. Even adaptations of the 1989 film like Heathers the Musical and the failed Paramount television reboot have not lived up to or understood the intentions of the original film. However, while watching Bottoms it brought me back to being fifteen years old and gazing at Winona Ryder lighting her cigarette, sparking my sexuality crisis. Now, does Bottoms try to be Heathers? Absolutely not. If anything, Bottoms, being its own strange and dark entity, is what brings it closer to Heathers. Both films were created to look at the teen experience that was going through a change and analyze the truth about high school through their strange and absurd dialogue and comedy. Heathers has various themes revolving around the depiction of teen mental health, the sexualization of women, abusive relationships, and unlikeable main characters. Bottoms shares the themes of the sexualization of women and the unlikeable main characters but joins them with sexuality, female friendship, and trust. Heathers marks the beginning of the depiction of messy, unlikeable women characters in regards to eighties teen films. Even though Winona Ryder’s portrayal of Veronica is sympathetic, she still thinks she is the good one of the Heathers even though she treats people terribly and, you know, kills people (even though she is being manipulated and lied to). In addition, all the Heathers have a facade of being perfect, yet lack vulnerability because they have to rule the school. Bottoms takes the approach of PJ and Josie starting the fight club for selfish reasons (to hook up with hot women and lie constantly to get their way) before they realize their mistakes. Like any human, women can suck too. The majority of the time, women characters, especially those written by men, are flawless and the image of perfection. Teen films that end with the main characters drenched in blood and ashes instead of pampered up from prom break that mold. In both films, homoeroticism is the center of the football team. In Bottoms, it’s Jeff and Tim. In Heathers, it’s Kurt and Ram. Tim is actively protecting and doing everything in the best interest of Jeff. On the other hand, Kurt and Ram are actively homophobic, using the f slur constantly around each other. But when JD and Veronica kill them, they cover it up with a note saying that Kurt and Ram committed suicide because they were “gay.” Both films aren’t making fun of queer people but more so, mocking homophobic ideas created from toxic masculinity. However, compared to Heathers, Bottoms is explicitly queer and more inclusive in its casting. Heathers may mock homophobia, but there are no canon queer characters. The environment of Bottoms, contained like Heathers, normalizes queerness. Early in the film, Josie comments that the school has a homophobia problem, and PJ retorts about the acceptance of a gay student named Matthieu. She continues on that people don’t hate her and Josie because they’re gay but because they’re “gay, untalented and ugly.” It brings us full circle about PJ and Josie being unlikeable characters but also still reminds the audience that homophobia is still there, especially for queer women. In Heathers, there’s only one named Black character, portrayed by the young Mr. Moseby, Phill Lewis. But in Bottoms, Ayo Edebiri stars as Josie, a Black queer woman who has anxiety and can easily lie. Her love interest, Isabel, is played by Havana Rose Liu, an Asian American actress. The majority of interracial couples on screen are made up of a person of color and a white person, so to see an Asian woman and a Black woman in a queer relationship brings recognition to those communities. These films exist in a similar sphere of using dark comedy and messy female characters to explore social themes. However, they differ enough to exist on their own and bring their own perspective to the teen genre. Heathers was there for me when I was an anxious teenager, figuring out my place in the world, and Bottoms came out to secure me in the confidence of my gender and sexuality. Both films have reminded me time and time again that mistakes can be made and that as long as you learn from your mistakes, you can grow and change.

By Phoebe Pineda My 11th-grade AP English teacher’s name was Jenny Wei. She kept a life-size cardboard cutout of Jacob from Twilight behind her desk, had a mouse pad shaped like a corgi’s butt, and, if you said something in class she found particularly delightful, would let out either a prolonged shriek or a wicked, snorting laugh somewhere between a giggle and a cackle. Causing that laugh (as I often did) filled me with great pride, but what made me prouder was seeing her feedback on essays, timed writes, or—once, in a decision I can only describe as unhinged—a piece of fanfiction I’d written. Amid the tumult and confusion of my adolescence, Ms. Wei just got me. She saw my enthusiasm for writing, helped me hone and develop my skills, but more importantly, she understood parts of me that not many other people in my life did: namely, my love for fandom (and, more specifically, my teenage crush on Bill Hader). She made me, and so many of her other students, feel seen and heard—which is why, to this day, I continue to seek out her wisdom (and her wit), over bowls of ramen on 3rd Avenue or mini cupcakes and Paris Breakfast tea in her condo. I call her my “emotional support English teacher,” a moniker that is as much a sincere and accurate summation of what she means to me—to so many of her students—as it is a nod to a Tumblr meme. I’m a bit of an outlier among my friends in that I still keep in touch with several of my teachers, from volunteering with Ms. Taylor, my 2nd/3rd-grade teacher, to occasional backyard tea with Mrs. Mamis, who taught me math and social studies in middle school before co-leading my high school Girl Scout troop. There’s just something about finding a great teacher, a really great teacher who really gets you, that just hits different. School is an institution designed to enforce compliance with rigid educational and social standards. These expectations can feel outdated and, at times, dehumanizing: we feel the pressure to excel, to succeed, to conform, and our self-worth becomes increasingly entangled with grades and test scores. A good teacher reminds us that we are more than our statistics and achievements: a good teacher sees us, first and foremost, as people. This affirmation and engagement with our personhood becomes all the more crucial—and elusive—in college, as classes swell from small rooms to massive lecture halls seating hundreds of students at a time. The elitism and privilege still entrenched in the systems and faculty of higher education can be alienating, even hostile, particularly for those of us who are marginalized. We don’t always see people who look like us on campus. Our professors don’t always respect our pronouns or understand why we might want content warnings for assigned readings and videos. And they may not always be willing to lend us grace for assignment deadlines when our circumstances (physical, mental, emotional) make it difficult to meet them. Although I attended a large, well-known university, my college experience was very different from many of my classmates. My degree program was situated in a smaller college on campus, the College of Creative Studies, a little yellow-and-green former military barracks where the total student population rarely broke 400, and our classes consisted largely of writer’s workshops (at least for us writing and lit majors) and discussion seminars. Mentorship was a core component of CCS: the smaller class sizes (and weekly coffee hours on the patio) allowed for more opportunities to develop deeper relationships with professors, opportunities to know them not only as academics but as creatives, as nerds like ourselves, as people, that were not as available or accessible elsewhere on campus. I encountered a number of professors I enjoyed and respected through my writing classes, both inside and outside of CCS, but the one who made perhaps the biggest impact was Dr. Michelle Petty Grue, who taught our first-year introductory creative writing course before officially joining the faculty the following year. Michelle quickly became, in many of our eyes, a rockstar: a professor of composition and writing studies firmly dedicated to incorporating an antiracist, intersectional framework into her teaching, rooted largely in her personal experiences as a Black woman in academia, a working mother who’d completed her dissertation at the height of the pandemic; an occasional poet and aspiring novelist—and, like Ms. Wei, someone many of us felt we could rely on. Someone who, through the chaos of COVID and the academic and social upheaval that accompanied it, helped us stay afloat. Someone who was kind enough to provide guidance not only in required office hours sessions (where I panicked over capstone project deadlines and had a minor identity crisis), but in situations outside of her class (where her own knowledge of fandom culture and intersectional feminist approaches to academic writing provided a much-needed perspective that other professors didn’t have). Our major, the writing and literature major, consisted of a vibrant and relatively diverse population of students, many of whom were LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent, and/or people of color. Often, we found ourselves clashing with faculty who did not look like us, did not understand us or our experiences, and, despite their best attempts, could not connect with us. In Michelle, we found an ally, an advocate. We found someone whose very presence challenged the norms of higher education, who knew the significance of her position and used her power to bridge the gap between us and the university, to not only put a face to the system that felt so inscrutable but to provide us a voice to communicate our concerns to that system, to amplify them. To make sure we were heard. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Michelle in their corner. Unable (or unwilling) to seek support from professors who seem untouchable (or maybe just out of touch), many students find it in their TAs—graduate students who understand the struggle of juggling school and work and who often experience the same struggles with housing and finances as many undergrads—or even in their upperclassmen. My friend Izzie, for instance, was the LGBTQ+ liaison for Undergraduate Diversity and Inclusion in Physics, a club designed to foster a safer, more welcoming environment for marginalized students in a major dominated by cishet white men—a field of study where professors were often either oblivious to the traumatizing conditions their students faced or, worse, directly responsible for perpetuating harm. Our graduate and undergrad peers may not have all the resources as our professors, but their ability and willingness to empathize with our struggles can make them equally important mentors. In environments where we are often reduced to little more than names on lists, faces in crowds, and numbers in systems, having someone willing to commit time and energy to not only our academic success, but our emotional well-being can make an immense difference. And while our paths may lead us elsewhere once our schooling has ended, that doesn’t mean we have to put our relationships with these mentors to rest. We continue to seek their guidance, their compassion, their understanding—and their company. (When life gets you down, sometimes you gotta go out for boba with your high school English teacher at 8 pm on a Thursday night.) So here’s to the emotional support educators—K-12 teachers, college professors, underpaid and overworked TAs, and even the students—who take us under their wing. Who sees us, who hears us, who uplifts us. We see you. We hear you. And we thank you.

By Marium Tariq My Instagram feed used to be an insane mental pressure cooker 3 years ago! It was this seemingly endless stream of models and influencers with their perfectly curated, filtered lives. I felt like everyone else had their life together while I was still trying to figure out how to adult properly. We've all been there, right? It's a never-ending highlight reel of perfect vacations, #OOTDs, and those oh-so-healthy-looking smoothie bowls that make you question your own choices in life. Every time I scrolled through that meticulously crafted illusion of a perfect life, I felt like I could just run away from my life for a few moments. But as soon as the reality hit, I couldn’t help but compare myself to my Instagram feed. My mental health was in shambles; I had almost zero self-esteem, and I never felt good enough! But that had to change! And I can show you just how I did that… In this digital age, you've got the power to curate your online world, and I’m here to hook you up with 8 awe-inspiring teen role models who took my social media from "meh" to "heck yeah!" These girls aren't about the glitz and glamour; they're all about real talk, motivation, and empowerment. By hitting that "follow" button on these incredible young women, you're not just scrolling through more content – you're embarking on a journey to discover the magic of resilience, the awesomeness of determination, and the incredible impact one person can make on our planet. So, let's dive in together, find the right people to follow, and make our mental and physical health a priority. Trust us, it's worth it! 🌟🧠💪 Autumn Peltier: Your Teen Role Model for Change! Introducing Autumn Peltier, the teen activist you need on your Instagram radar! Autumn is not just your average teenager; she's a global advocate for clean water and environmental justice — all at the tender age of 19! Her impressive resume includes speaking at the United Nations, earning a nomination for the International Children's Peace Prize, and tirelessly fighting for clean water access in Indigenous communities. Now, that’s the kind of inspiration our Instagrams need, right? Instagram Handle: @AutumnPeltier Why You Should Follow Her: Following Autumn means joining a movement for a cleaner, fairer world. Her posts inspire action, educate on water issues, and remind us that age is no barrier to making a positive impact. Plus, she's proof that teens have the power to change the world, one post at a time! 🌊💪🌎 Mikaila Ulmer: Teen Entrepreneurial Inspiration Say hello to Mikaila Ulmer, the teen entrepreneur taking the world by storm. She's yet another passionate 19-year-old who founded Me & the Bees Lemonade, a buzzing business success story. Mikaila's sweet journey includes being featured on Shark Tank, securing major partnerships, and donating a portion of her profits to save the bees. Instagram handle: @mikaila.ulmer @mikailasbees Why You Should Follow Her: Mikaila’s posts offer a behind-the-scenes look at her business adventures, tips for budding young entrepreneurs, and remind us that age is no barrier to achieving your dreams. Get ready to be inspired and motivated by her buzzworthy journey! 🍋🐝🚀 Malala Yousafzai: Global Inspiration and Education Advocate Malala Yousafzai is a remarkable teen advocate for girls' education and a global inspiration. She's a Nobel laureate, an author, and a tireless champion for girls' rights to education worldwide. And even though she’s no longer a teenager, her incredible story and a 5-feet long list of achievements leave me no choice but to include her in my list of amazing teen role models! Malala's journey includes surviving a life-threatening attack by the Taliban for pursuing education “despite” being a girl, co-authoring the memoir I Am Malala, and becoming the youngest Nobel Prize recipient in history. Instagram handle: @malala Why You Should Follow Her: Malala's Instagram provides a window into her world, where you'll discover her ongoing work for girls' education through the Malala Fund. She regularly shares powerful stories of girls around the globe fighting for their right to learn, offering insight into the transformative impact of education on young lives. So, hit that follow button and join the movement for a brighter, more equitable future! 📚🌍🌟 Gitanjali Rao: Teen Innovation Prodigy Get ready to meet Gitanjali Rao, the teen innovator and scientist extraordinaire, making waves on Instagram as @gitanjaliarao. She's a Time magazine Kid of the Year, a STEM superstar, and an advocate for youth-driven change. Gitanjali's journey includes inventing devices to tackle global issues, giving TED Talks, and inspiring countless young minds with her brilliance. Instagram handle: @gitanjaliarao Why You Should Follow Her: Gitanjali's Instagram is a treasure trove of innovation and insight. She shares glimpses of her latest inventions, including devices to detect lead in water and tools to combat cyberbullying. Her commitment to using science and technology to address pressing issues reminds us all that young minds have the power to shape a brighter future. JazzJennings: Trailblazing Voice for Transgender Youth! Jazz Jennings is a remarkable teen transgender activist and television personality. She's a powerful advocate for transgender rights and a symbol of hope for gender-diverse youth everywhere. Jazz was born a boy but went through gender dysphoria as young as 4, making her the youngest publicly identified transgender. Jazz starred in a TV show, I Am Jazz, showcasing her journey as a trans teen, and later authored a book, Being Jazz, sharing her struggles with gender identity. Instagram handle: @jazzjennings Why You Should Follow Her: Through heartfelt posts, she shares her own experiences, the unwavering support of her family, and her ongoing mission to foster understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for all gender identities. Her Instagram serves as a powerful platform to inspire self-love, engage in conversations about gender identity, and amplify the message of embracing diversity. Jazz's story reminds us all that embracing one's true self can lead to positive change and acceptance, and her journey is an empowering reminder to stand up for inclusivity. X González: Resilient Teen Advocate for Gun Control X González, formerly known as Emma González, survived the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which is dubbed the deadliest high school shooting in all of American history. Instead of spending the rest of their life being held back by the trauma, X rose as an activist for gun control and co-founded the gun-control advocacy group Never Again MSD. X is a powerhouse of activism — their socials are full of posts that scream her passion for gun control. They're all about making sure that our schools and communities are safer from gun violence. X is not just talking the talk; they're walking the walk. Remember the March for Our Lives movement? Yeah, they were a big part of that, and their impact is still felt today. Instagram handle: @emmawise18 Why You Should Follow Them: If you're looking for a dose of real-world change and are tired of sitting on the sidelines, Emma's your go-to gal. She openly shares her struggles with mental health, anxiety, and rage and posts her efforts to end gun violence. Emma's journey shows that age doesn't mean squat when it comes to making things happen Millie Bobby Brown: Your Netflix Binge-Watching Buddy! Out of all the insanely talented teen celebrities ruling our screens lately, Millie has to be my favorite! Now, she might be a Hollywood superstar, but trust me, she's not your typical teen celebrity – she's a talented actress, an advocate for kindness, and an all-around ray of sunshine in the world of social media. You probably know Millie best as Eleven from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things or Sherlock’s sister in Enola Holmes. But her talent goes way beyond the screen. She's all about spreading kindness and doing good stuff in the world, and that's pretty inspiring. Even with all her fame and success, she's just down-to-earth with her graceful and poised demeanor. Instagram handle: @milliebobbybrown Why You Should Follow Her: When Millie is not acting her heart out, she uses her social media platforms for good. Her Instagram is all about spreading love, self-acceptance, and inspiring young people to be themselves. Plus, she's a fashion icon, so you'll get plenty of style inspo too! Whether she's sharing her favorite skincare tips or posting heartwarming messages, Millie's Insta is a feel-good space in the digital world. Greta Thunberg: The Climate Change Warrior! Hold onto your eco-friendly hats, folks, because Greta Thunberg, the climate change warrior, is here to make waves! Greta's a global sensation, an environmental activist, and a force to be reckoned with. Greta first learned about climate change when she was only 8 years old. She took world leaders’ lack of commitment to manage eco-challenges so much to her heart that she battled depression for 4 years and lost 10 kg in only 2 months! But that was when she decided to do something about it herself and has since participated in several campaigns, protests, TED talks, strikes, and climate activism. RELATED: If you feel like you could use some help with your mental health, read Navigating Mental Health As A Teenager for a start. Instagram handle: @gretathunberg Why You Should Follow Her: Greta's Instagram is like a hub of all things climate action. She shares the latest updates on her mission to combat climate change, from attending world summits to rallying with fellow young activists. Greta's no-nonsense approach and fierce determination have made her a leading voice in fighting for our planet. Her posts encourage us to take action, reduce our carbon footprint, and demand change from our leaders. Are You Ready To Hit That Follow Button? So, there you have it – a fantastic lineup of teen girl role models setting the world on fire, one remarkable post at a time! 🚀✨ These teen role models are like stars in our galaxy, each one shining brightly in their unique way. They inspire us to dream big, stand up for what's right, and create change, regardless of age or background. So, which teen role model speaks to your heart the most? Whose journey are you eager to follow? Remember: you, too, can be a role model, shaping the world in your own extraordinary way. So, let's celebrate these amazing teen girls and keep our eyes on the horizon – who knows what incredible stories and inspirations await us next? 💫🌟🌠

By Summer Wrenn Starting a business can feel like throwing yourself into the unknown. The journey of bringing your idea to life and starting with a blank canvas can be exciting but also terrifying. Maybe you have a great idea but lack the foundation of business concepts. Or maybe you don’t yet have an idea but feel like you have the entrepreneurial spirit that it takes to start a business. If you’re looking for insight into the basics of business or what it takes to generate a successful business plan, luckily, now more than ever, we have endless access to information and inspiration at our fingertips. But it can be daunting knowing where to start. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of resources across five different categories – books, podcasts, websites/blogs, YouTube channels, and movies – that will not only give you the knowledge but maybe even the courage or motivation to get started on your next big entrepreneurial endeavor. Books When it comes to learning about business or gaining guidance, wisdom, and inspiration, there is no better place to start than with a book and a highlighter. Although there are endless ones on the topic of business and entrepreneurship, here are five of my personal favorites that are a great starting point. 1. Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso From dumpster-diving to being the founder of renowned fashion business Nasty Gal, Amoruso’s book is one of resilience, creativity, and the power of following through with your wildest business dreams. This is an incredibly empowering read that walks you through Amoruso’s journey with adversity and building her business from the ground up. 2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel Venture capitalist and billionaire co-founder of PayPal Thiel shares crucial advice and Incredible insight in his book. He takes you through the world of startups and shares the importance of uniqueness and innovation in creating a business of your own. 3. Grit by Angela Duckworth Wonder what kind of personality it takes to pursue your dreams and start a business? In this book, Duckworth explores the power of perseverance, passion, and resilience in achieving your entrepreneurial goals. 4. The Founder’s Dilemma by Noam Wasserman Wasserman dives into the challenges and choices that new entrepreneurs face on their start-up journey. His research in this book offers crucial guidance through valuable insight on a variety of topics, including team dynamics, founder relationships, and more. Podcasts The beauty of podcasts is that they can offer candid conversations or raw audio of real-time talks or events. Whether it’s an interview with an experienced professional or a recorded pitch session, these podcasts present both and may serve as inspiration but also helpful guidance. 1. Start Up This podcast offers an unfiltered look into the stories of real entrepreneurs as they face the challenges of building their own businesses. With honest interviews and candid stories, it is a great start and source of inspiration for someone who may be in the same position. Recommended Episode: Ep. 1 - Gimlet 1: How Not to Pitch a Billionaire 2. How I Built This (with Guy Raz) Through interviews with and stories of some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and innovators, this podcast gives us a first-hand look at real challenges and pivotal moments behind some of the most iconic companies. Recommended Episode: Ep. 277 - Bumble: Whitney Wolfe 3. The Goal Digger Hosted by Jenna Kutcher, this podcast is a goldmine of advice and inspiration for women entrepreneurs looking to pursue their passions of starting a business. With interviewees discussing a range of topics, it is a great source of motivation, practical guidance, and empowerment. Recommended Episode: Ep. 244 - Launch Your Business in Just 90 Minutes Per Day 4. The Tim Ferriss Show An entrepreneur and author himself, Ferriss interviews a diverse array of guests to discuss their personal and professional development journeys and give inspiring and actionable insights. Recommended Episode: Ep. 37 - Tony Robbins on Morning Routines, Peak Performance, and Mastering Money Websites/Blogs These website and blog options provide a diverse selection of professional, as well as deeply personal, articles, guides, and insights from entrepreneurial experts. While some sources act more as a virtual mentorship, others provide motivational and encouraging content to inspire you to take your first steps of action. 1. Zhive Our website offers a variety of informational interviews with self-starters in a variety of areas of business. Whether you’re interested in health & wellness, entertainment, art, etc. – we have inspiring stories and first-world advice at your fingertips. 2. Forbes One of the most famous business publications, Forbes has a vast collection of articles and commentaries to serve as an amazing resource for the most current news, analysis, and insights on entrepreneurship. 3. Inc. Magazine A go-to destination for business advice, industry trend updates, and startup inspiration. Inc. offers countless guides and articles for aspiring business leaders. 4. She Owns It This blog empowers women entrepreneurs and inspires innovative female leadership through highlighting their various achievements and successes. 5. Seth’s Blog Seth Godin, a seasoned marketing professional, shares his insights and experiences on marketing, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Youtube Channels If you’re going to be stuck in any kind of YouTube rabbit hole, it may as well be one that teaches you something. Each of these channels dedicates its content to educating about various aspects of the business industry and personal skills required to start a business of your own. 1. Hubspot This channel is a great resource for innovative marketing strategies and unconventional business ideas. This is a great place to begin for insight into leveraging creativity in the entrepreneurial world. Recommended Video: Starting a Business in 2023: What You NEED to Know 2. Black Enterprise This channel is a great source of focused guidance for start-up businesses within the Black community. Its informational videos, success stories, and business strategy advice serve as a valuable platform for diverse entrepreneurial voices. Recommended Video: Building A Sustainable Business 3. Ted X These videos are full of fresh ideas and diverse perspectives that can spark the entrepreneurial spirit. Riveting talks from the world’s top leaders to average small business owners, this channel offers a unique blend of thought-provoking inspiration. Recommended Video: Simon Sinek - How Great Leaders Inspire Action 4. Marie Forleo Through engaging content, Marie shares her empowering interviews on a variety of business topics, including personal development, entrepreneurial creativity, and actionable steps to starting a business. Recommended Video: The #1 Reason to Start Your Business NOW Movies Maybe you don’t want to sit through tedious video lectures, aren’t inspired by interviews, or don’t feel like picking up a book – that’s okay. These movies are a great source of inspiration, and information that will make you want to start your business right after watching. 1. The Pursuit of Happyness Based on a true story, this movie follows the journey of a homeless man who overcomes adversity to become a successful stockbroker. This film, while heartwarming, contains a reminder of the drive, resilience, and determination it takes to achieve entrepreneurial success, regardless of the struggles one may face. 2. Joy In this film, Jennifer Lawrence plays a driven but struggling single mother who defies odds to create a multi-million-dollar company through developing innovative household products. 3. The Founder This film details Roy Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, and sheds light on the realities of entrepreneurship and the ambition it takes to build a successful business. 4. Moneyball In this true story of baseball executive Billy Beane, an inspiring lesson in entrepreneurial innovation comes out of witnessing how Beane defied competition through his discovery of effective analytic strategies. 5. Erin Brockovich A legal assistant researching a powerful utility company’s role in the pollution of a small town’s water supply leads to an inspiring true story that highlights the effect that determination can have on corporate accountability. This film serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs ambitious about creating social change.

By Phoebe Pineda When I was eight or nine, my Girl Scout troop hosted a celebration for World Thinking Day, a holiday celebrated every year on February 22nd by Scouting organizations worldwide. The goal of Thinking Day is to learn about and appreciate countries and cultures other than your own, and each troop is responsible for researching a country beforehand and setting up a poster-board booth (sometimes with food) to teach each other what they learned. We’d kick off Thinking Day with an opening ceremony, a pseudo-Parade-of-Nations, with each girl representing a different country. Conveniently, my mother had found, stashed among another troop leader’s Scouting memorabilia, a Girl Scout uniform from the Philippines: a short-sleeved, knee-length green dress printed with trefoils, with a matching green hat and a yellow kerchief tied around the neck to finish it off. But I didn’t want to represent the Philippines. I was in the height of my French phase, ballet-obsessed and convinced I’d open my own Parisian boutique. After arguing with my mother and crying in a corner for a bit, I ended up curtsying for France. In hindsight, I should’ve just worn the dress. But almost a decade later, I still find myself coming back to that Thinking Day incident because it’s the most concrete example of this ongoing dissonance I’ve felt for years between my identity and my experience as a third-generation Filipino American. The culture that uniform symbolized, that heritage—it never felt like mine. I’ve never been to the Philippines. I don’t speak either of my grandparents’ languages (Tagalog for my mom’s side, Kapampangan for my dad’s). And although I grew up in a relatively diverse community, few of my friends over the years have been Filipino, something that shocked one of my parents’ many Filipino college friends when I brought it up. “All my friends in college were Filipino!” she exclaimed. It wasn’t for lack of trying on my part; I’d meant to get involved with Fil-Am organizations in high school and college, but I found it easier and more convenient to gravitate toward other social circles—friends I’d made in Girl Scouts or my dorm—where I was almost always the only Filipina. Over the years, as I’ve learned more about the history of race and immigration in the U.S., I’ve made a more conscious effort to reconnect with my culture. Though my palate has always leaned toward other cuisines, my mom and I started cooking Filipino food from scratch during the pandemic: stir-frying noodles and vegetables for pancit, slow-cooking beef shank for sinigang. I began following Instagram pages dedicated to Philippine culture and history, learning about indigenous Filipino traditions and mythology and the history of dishes such as adobo and deep-fried turon. I even joined the staff of Kapwa Magazine, copyediting the stories of Filipinos across the diaspora as they documented their history and experiences. In general, though, I’ve always felt more American than Filipino, from my friend groups to my food preferences. My mom, born in San Francisco and raised in Daly City (home to one of the highest concentrations of Filipinos in North America), sometimes talks about being called “coconut” growing up: brown on the outside, white on the inside. It’s an accusation I internalized for years, even before I could articulate it—the feeling of being overly Americanized, if not whitewashed altogether. I fit in too well with my white friends and never spent my childhood feeling Othered or singled out like my parents did. And so even as I chase the representation I craved and lacked growing up, in books like Mia Alvar’s In the Country and Danton Remoto’s Riverrun, in characters like Ned Leeds and his iconic Lola (who owns the same lamp as my grandmother!) or Jo Koy’s impressions of his mom, I am haunted by this nagging sense of imposter syndrome—this sense that I’m just not Filipino enough. In June, right before I graduated college, a Filipino-American student on TikTok caught flak from Philippine-based Filipinos for wearing a graduation stole printed with the Philippine flag, which is apparently illegal to wear in the Philippines. The discussion raised wider questions around the complexities and nuances of diasporic upbringing—nuances that are often ignored in conversations around identity and culture—but what really bothered me was how a number of Philippine-based Filipinos called Filipino Americans foreigners. To me—to many of us—that label was a rejection. We don’t want you. You’re not one of us. You’re not Filipino. To belong to a diaspora is to occupy the strange liminal space between two cultures, never fully feeling comfortable in either. My identity is a complex blend of the beliefs and practices my grandparents carried over from the Philippines, the efforts they made to assimilate, and the negotiations my parents continue to make as second-gen Americans who grew up bouncing between Filipino immigrant households and late-20th-century U.S. culture. And my family, too, does not always fit neatly into the mold or expectations laid out for what a Filipino or even Filipino-American family should be. My grandmother immigrated to the States in the mid-20th century from Santa Ana, Pampanga. Her cooking is legendary among our relatives, and for years, her adobo was my standard for how adobo should taste: tender meat simmered in a sour vinegar-based sauce, served over a bed of white rice. But when she gave me her recipe, I noticed it lacked two ingredients that most Filipinos swear are essential to adobo: bay leaves and black peppercorns. Apparently, black peppercorn makes her sneeze. For years, I’ve compared myself to this image of what a Filipino should be. But at the end of the day, I know where my roots are. I know who I am. And I’m proud.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every four Americans has some form of disability. Despite this being 27% of the population, this community has gone through a lot over the past few centuries to earn the right to basic functions in society, including being employed. In 1945, Congress passed Public Law 176, declaring the first week of October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. 25 years later, this week was expanded to the entire month of October and renamed the National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The theme for this year’s month of awareness is “advancing access and equity.” This recognition highlights the importance of inclusion and accessibility in the workplace but also acknowledges the hard-fought struggle that has been endured to gain these rights. Purpose National Disability Month was given national recognition to highlight the consistent challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in their journey to acquire jobs and to champion inclusion in the workplace. According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the American workforce employed 21.3% of the disabled population in 2022. Although this is an increase from 19.1% the previous year, there are still areas of improvement in creating more accessible, inclusive, and diverse workspaces. This month of recognition spotlights these needs and pushes for more advocacy and change. These efforts are recognized to call upon individuals, employers, and communities to unite in creating a world where disability doesn’t limit one’s potential but nurtures it in a place where everyone has the opportunity to contribute their skills to the workforce. History & Background For much of the 19th century, individuals with disabilities were deemed unfit to contribute to society and were treated as inhumane beings. This discrimination included exposure to the public for entertainment purposes, being unwillingly sterilized, and locking up individuals in mental institutions and asylums where they were often subject to poor treatment. Although some efforts to advocate for disabled persons’ rights took place in this time (including Dorothea Dix’s 1848 address to Congress for disability accommodation and Hervey B. Wilbur’s creation of a private school specializing in the improvement of social and self-help skills, to name two), this marginalization continued well into the 20th century. It wasn’t until around the 1930s, with a handicapped American president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, that the country began to notice advocacy and concerted efforts. Subsequently, in the 1940s, the push to recognize the needs of veterans after WWII began to further open up the perception of the disability community to the public. As advocacy ensued, the first great change in the disability rights movement didn’t happen until 1973, when the Rehabilitation Act was passed by President Nixon. This legislation prohibits “discrimination on the basis of disability” in a variety of federal programs, including employment settings. Looking back over its 50 years in effect, the Rehabilitation Act has been instrumental in giving disabled employees a voice, as well as laying the foundation for the American Disability Act. The American Disability Act (ADA), passed in 1990 by George H. W. Bush, further prohibits the discrimination of Americans with disabilities in all areas of life. This includes giving them education access through special programs, enhancing employment opportunities, and making public spaces and transportation services more accessible. This act was the cornerstone in securing rights and destigmatizing work abilities for those mentally or physically impaired. Since the passing of the ADA, employment conditions for the disability community have significantly improved. Especially more recently, with greater access to employment through remote job opportunities, workspaces have become more inviting and inclusive. However, there is still a long way to go in the fight for disability employment rights. Just three years ago, in 2020, disability claims were the most commonly reported type of discrimination, with a total of 24,324 claims. People with disabilities are still mistreated, undermined, and marginalized in the workplace. Besides harassment, there are a variety of other problems faced, including sensory issues, accessibility and accommodation deficiencies, significant wage gaps, inflexible work patterns, etc. According to the United States Census Bureau, employees with a disability earn 87 cents for every dollar earned by employees without a disability. Additionally, despite studies showing that 56% of accommodation adjustments are actually at no cost to companies, some still use the excuse that their lack of accessibility features is due to financial issues. So, despite incredible progress, there is much to do in the way of furthering the mission of disability employment rights. Impact The impact of disabled individuals in the workplace is one that cannot be overlooked. Their inclusion brings a diverse and unique perspective that cannot be paralleled, as well as skills that contribute to work settings on multiple levels. They demonstrate adaptability and a strong mindset to overcome adversity and social barriers through contributions to their respective workplaces. Inclusion and advancement of access and equity in the workplace foster an environment that encourages employees to reach their full potential and promotes the importance of a dynamic world. Being able to recognize the various achievements and benefits of disabled individuals in the workplace is the first step to eliminating stereotypes and encouraging a more inclusive and excessive future. Resources If you are interested in information to help better understand the disabled community and their fight for employment rights, here are just a few resources linked below: Crip Camp - 2020 (Film, currently available on Netflix) Disability After Dark with Andrew Gurza - (Podcast) Disability Visibility - 2020 (Book) Year of the Tiger by Alice Wong - 2022 (Book) Disability Visibility Project - (Website) “Disabled People Are A Vital Part Of Your Workforce: Advice To Help You Manage” “Removing Obstacles for Disabled Workers Would Strengthen the U.S. Labor Market” Disability Blogs

In April 2022, I logged onto YouTube to see a new video from one of my favorite channels, Dreamsounds. The video was titled “Trans Mermaid & Coming Out.” Marlene Bellissimo, one of the creators of the channel, pairs her experience of coming out as a trans woman with an analysis of 1989’s The Little Mermaid through a queer/trans lens. The video hit close to my heart as a nonbinary person with a love for mermaids. Ever since I was a kid, I loved mermaids. The Little Mermaid has always been crowned as my favorite Disney film, and I can relate any situation in my life to an episode of H2o: Just Add Water (much to my friends’ dismay). For the first two years of college, I co-created and produced a television show about a mermaid and her college friends. Not only were the main character and her friends queer, one of the main themes of the show was choosing to tell people about your identity rather than people forcing you to find out. Mermaids have always been associated with queerness, especially with transness, due to the transformation from mermaid to human and their lack of genitalia. The Little Mermaid is not shielded from this notion. The underlying queerness of The Little Mermaid has been present since the fairytale’s inception. The fairytale’s author, Hans Christian Andersen, wrote the story to cope with Edvard Collin rejecting Andersen’s romantic feelings. A century later, Howard Ashman, a Jewish Gay lyricist, was one of the leading forces in adapting the tale into a Disney animated musical. Even though the original tale and Disney film aren’t explicitly queer, The Little Mermaid is open to queer reading because of its theme of identity and style. Now, Queer Cinema is focused on reworking social constructionism and breaking old traditions. According to Ruby Rich, a film critic who coined the genre “New Queer Cinema,” New Queer Cinema “...accompanies identity politics.” It embraces what is defined as “not normal” lifestyles and criticizes the limitations of binary gender and sexuality. Throughout the entire film, Ariel, the main character, wants to become human and live in the world above. She will go to extreme lengths to collect human items, including facing a shark and disobeying her father, King Triton’s, rules of never going to the surface world. In the underwater world of Atlantica, it is forbidden to go to the surface world. In his confrontation after finding out about Ariel’s crush on human Prince Eric, King Triton argues, “He’s a human, you’re a mermaid,” after which Ariel yells back that she doesn’t care. In Ariel’s world, the social construction established is that the interaction between humans and the merpeople is not only strictly prohibited, but the idea of becoming one or being with one isn’t even thought about. But by Ariel defying what her world tells her is right, she follows her own ambitions and where she believes she belongs. She finds that she aligns herself more with humans than merpeople. This is emphasized at the end of the film, where she becomes human completely and marries Eric. But Ariel isn’t the only character that can be seen through a queer lens. Ursula, the film’s villain, has built a connection with queer people, especially in the Drag community. This isn’t a coincidence due to Ursula’s character design being based on the Baltimore-born drag queen, Divine. In addition to her inspiration being a drag queen, Ursula is also cast out like Ariel. Both characters relate explicitly to the queer community based on their outcast feelings and specifically with Ariel finding a place that accepts her. A characteristic of Queer Cinema is the unconcern with positive images of queerness. If there were films that only had queer heroes, it would create an expectation of perfection from the queer community, and if there were only queer villains, villainy would relate to queerness. But there is a clear assertiveness about the expression of sexuality as multiplicity and not as fixed or essentialized. Ursula isn’t a villain because she is based on a drag queen or her comfort in femininity; it’s based on her ambition and wants for power. Ariel’s heroism comes from her curiosity and naivety. And even if these characters aren’t queer in the film, they’re read as queer by many fans. Even a queer reading of the film is a characteristic of Queer Cinema. Ariel isn’t openly a trans woman, but her storyline of transition and being her true self connects with many trans women. In the Dreamsounds video, Marlene mentions that she and one of her friends (who is also a trans woman) both were like Ariel while they were learning their new voices. They didn’t know how to speak in their new voices. Ariel went out “...into the human world without a voice,” and Bellissimo knew “exactly what [Ariel] meant.” The Little Mermaid’s medium supports the film’s place in the Queer Cinema genre. The genre is described to be a collection of different genres and voices. The film’s genres are animation and musical. The film wouldn't work without both of these elements. The animation creates an imaginative underwater world with bright and beautiful colors paired with songs that are fun and heartfelt. Howard Ashman, the lyricist and one of the main forces of the original film, stated that animation “might be one of the last, maybe the last great place for Broadway musicals... it’s a whole other world.” Both mediums at the time in the eighties weren’t popular; however, the combination of the two created “a period of rebirth and new creative heights...a new narrative formula in which stories were told in Broadway-style acts, and characters projected their internal emotions as songs. With innovative airbrushing and backlighting effects...the era drew massive audiences and is often considered the peak era of the company.” Also, with animation and musicals, there are more voices in the room, which includes the animators and the writers of the music, creating an environment for people from different walks of life to contribute. To many, the idea of The Little Mermaid existing in the Queer Cinema genre is an odd one. However, if the layers are pulled back, it is clear that the film not only exhibits queerness through its origins and production but also in the film itself. The film’s storyline resembles the theme that is constant in the Queer Cinema genre of reworking the social constructionism and struggle of identity. Ariel’s arc focuses on her desire to become human, though the underwater world is against humans in general. In addition to Ariel’s connection to the queer community, Ursula is also linked to the queer community. And even though she was the villain to Ariel’s hero, Queer Cinema doesn’t care about what archetype the queer characters are, just as long as they’re queer and resemble the queer community. Queer Cinema isn’t looking for perfect depictions of queer people. Ariel’s recklessness and Ursula’s powerful demeanor reflect on that requirement. Even if the characters aren’t outwardly queer in the film, Ariel’s storyline of transformation is compared by trans women to their own lives. Finally, with the two combined genres of animation and musical, The Little Mermaid fits the final qualifications for a place in Queer Cinema. It doesn’t have a single aesthetic in its two genres. Without its queerness and the queer creators, The Little Mermaid wouldn’t be as memorable today and wouldn’t have connected with so many queer people, including myself.