February 2015

During the month of February, African American History Month, we, as a nation, celebrate the accomplishments of black men and women and reflect upon the continuing struggle for equal opportunity in our country.

At Iris, we decided to take a look at the history of these struggles in our local community by interviewing a journalist for The Hook, Barbara Nordin.

Prior to this month, I knew nothing about breast augmentation (more commonly known as “boob jobs”). My exposure was basically limited to the trashy, reality TV shows I caught glimpses of while surfing through channels, and random magazine covers I’d glaze over in the checkout line at the grocery store. After taking in Absolutely Safe (2007), a documentary on breast implants, hosted by the U.Va.

Katharine Hepburn, Hollywood icon, defined success on her own terms.

Alaina Segura and Sophia Socarras

Last November, the Grounds of U.Va. shook with the horrors revealed in the Rolling Stone article “A Rape on Campus”. As our community – and even nation – reacted, the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center received a flood of comments and responses about what can and should be done to address sexual misconduct at our University. One very unique response came in the form of an email from Lynda Allen, the mother of a U.Va. student.

Spectrum Theatre, an organization at U.Va. dedicated to engaging and challenging the community through provocative, socially relevant, universal, inspiring and innovative performances, recently presented the first installment of this semester’s “Breaking Grounds Reading Series.”

As the co-publicity chair for U.Va.’s Spectrum Theatre as well as my involvement in several other theater organizations over the years, I have been able to see the powerful impact theatrical performances can have on everyone involved.

Good theater creates a bond between the actors and the audience that lasts until the final moments of the performance. Great theater uses this bond to bring to light aspects of society, culture and human nature compelling both actors and audience members think about these issues.