Advocacy

red open mouth with bacteria in the back of throat

Deconstructing “Going-Out” Culture at UVA: Why Can’t We Ever Slow Down?

The red dress I had planned on wearing to my boyfriend’s winter formal, coincidentally, happened to be the same shade of red as the back of my throat. That is, as I was about to discover, the portion of it that wasn’t covered in white stripes of bacteria (lovely, I know). 

purple iris flowers blooming from an open human palm

Creating Caring Community for Survivors through Transformative Justice

When replanting our roots after they have been ruptured, it is crucial we find soil forgiving enough to support our growth, healing, and rebirth.

makeup products

Things that Weren’t on my 2024 Bingo Card: Preteens Terrorizing Sephora Employees

I was in Sephora over winter break, looking for a new perfume, when a couple of girls who could not be any older than 11 shoved past me to get to the Sol de Janerio display.

3 going out tops

Question for a flapper: Can my bar clothes be feminist, too?

Walking into a dimly lit room, bass vibrations rattling the windows, I look around—the women are in uniform. So am I. The year is 2023. I’m in a small “going out top” matched with straight leg jeans, and for personal flair, my black combat boots.

ink pot and feather pen

On Being a Writer: Conversations with UVA Creative Writing Students

When I was in first grade, I wished for the first time to be a writer. I pictured holding a book and running my finger over my name in embossed text on the cover of a pristine book jacket.

paramount theater

Democracy360 Wanted Us to Save American Politics. But What ‘Us’ Was There?

On a recent Saturday morning, I was bursting out of the dimly lit Paramount Theater in Downtown Charlottesville with furrowed brows and a long stride.

person shouting

Open Letter: Words Have Consequences. It’s Time to Own Them.

I am no stranger to opinion. 

As someone who gravitates towards op-ed writing, I am used to disagreement. I enjoy reading political essays online, especially from news outlets that allow conservative voices to publish thinkpieces.

bunch of colorheads with glinting earrings

Who Are You Showing Up to the Party As?

I am instantly hit by an unforgiving wave of humidity and booming trap music. There are tons of people around me dancing, drinking and making out, but they all seem adrift.

drag queen

A High Holy Day of Queerness

Gay Christmas, or bitches Christmas, was a queer Halloween parade born in Philadelphia in the 1950s, in response to the

A girl scrolling on her phone while getting ready to go out to a party.

The Cost of Being a Woman

As I watch Bridgerton edits on TikTok, I once again ask myself, “Why do they get to dress up and go to balls, while I have to dress up and go to frat parties?”