By Morgan Hones

There is a common misconception of what Burning Man is and what it has to offer. “They think it's a big sex club a lot of the time… [that] it's a lot of people running around naked and just being crazy,” says John Carter, a veteran “Burner” who’s been to Burning Man for the past 15 years.

Avery Wong, who has been there twice, adds, “They hear that it's a drug-filled, [chaotic] anarchy land of insanity.”

However the description given by the official Burning Man website says, “Burning Man is a global ecosystem of artists, makers, and community organizers who co-create art, events, and local initiatives around the world.”

Since 1986, an event called Burning Man takes place every year. Originally taking place on Baker's Beach in San Francisco, the event was forced to move to Black Rock Desert in Nevada in 1990 due to their growing popularity. This year, from August 27th to September 4th, over 80,000 people gathered in the desert and created an ephemeral city called Black Rock City.

“It's hard to describe. [Burning Man is] this extremely unique experience,” says Wong. “The first time I went to Burning Man in 2015, I did all this research—like tons and tons of research on it. I researched what it's about, its values, what to expect there, and when I got there, my mind was still blown, like nothing could have prepared [me] for what I saw and experienced there.” 

“It's hard to fully explain the whole thing because there is so much going on,” says Luke Santos, a Burner who’s gone for the first time this year. “Everybody has, like, maybe one or two guesses on what happens at Burning Man, but it's actually like five or ten or twenty more of those things. If you think it's a full-on, big-ass rave party, you're right, but that's not everything that's going on. There's so much more. You can't even see everything that you want to see. It's just not possible!” 

Carter adds, “There are many different theme camps, so you could do some art stuff, you could do massages, you could do a photoshoot—but they are all experiences.” 

It is a city made of camps, created by Burners, that provide different experiences for other Burners, such as “classes where you can learn anything, from yoga and painting” to archery or video games, specifies Wong. “It's this extremely unique experience. It's a place where you can go, and there's a community of people who won't judge you for whoever you are, what you want to express, [or] who you want to be.” 

Burning Man has ten main principles, one of them being radical self expression. 

Wong adds, “The people who have gone to Burning Man know differently. It’s a place where you get freedom of expression, it's a place where you’re a part of a community, and it's a place where you contribute to this community and the community also gives back to you. The public doesn't get that part.”

Ultimately Burning Man is much more an educational place where people from all around the world come together to create art and experiences filled with gifting, kindness, and self expression, and not as much of a drug-filled hellscape the public thinks it is.

By Melissa Yan

From an iconic brand name with an A-list cast and catchy soundtrack, the release of “Barbie” garnered much excitement on the Internet, making cultural waves in fashion, media, and all things pink—and yet the movie was not all just about dolls and sparkles. 

Upon release, viewers quickly realized “Barbie'' holds a much deeper meaning about the experience of women in a patriarchal society and the toxic masculinity that stems from our system. The movie’s feminist theme was everywhere I looked, from political news pages on Instagram to top article results on Google, along with the internet’s praising of the message and some critiquing it. 

The coverage and controversy surrounding the “Barbie” movie and its theme piqued my interest, prompting me to pull up the movie and watch it for myself.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the movie. 

It may be that I went into the movie looking for a portrayal of a deeper meaning of feminism and was taken aback by the satire and comedic style of the movie instead of simply letting the movie speak for itself while enjoying the humor, but I finished the movie quite disappointed with the lack of emotional impact and personal significance, even if the movie was still entertaining to an extent. 

The lack of nuance in the dialogue used to push the storyline definitely could have been better, and the “Barbie” movie lacked the most important part of storytelling—to show, not tell. 

The storyline revolves around Stereotypical Barbie—blonde, blue-eyed, and skinny—and takes place in Barbie Land’s matriarchy, where women are dominant in all career fields (notably construction and politics), and the Kens are “just Ken,” sweet and simple.

When Barbie begins to malfunction (flat feet, cellulite, thoughts of death), she goes on an adventure with Ken to the “real world,” and there is a moment where the movie does use visual storytelling extremely well. 

In the center of a park on a bench, Barbie closes her eyes as memories of humans flash through her mind. A mother plays happily with her young daughter, giggling with Barbie dolls in their hands, but their smiles slowly turn into frowns and aloofness as emotional distance grows between the mother and daughter. When Barbie sees this reality, she opens her eyes, tears rolling down her face for the first time.

“That felt achy, but it felt good,” Barbie says quietly to herself, trying to comprehend her feelings. 

She looks around the park, slowly taking everyone in—from the couple who just had a breakup, to the laughing children playing in the sand, to the breeze in the trees. This is Barbie experiencing the real world and feeling true human emotions for the first time.

Interestingly enough, the most impactful moment was this scene that had nearly no dialogue, and I could still feel everything Barbie was portraying.

Disappointingly, the rest of the movie lacked the same rawness of human emotions and human experiences. 

When Barbie finds her human Gloria, the same mother she sees in her memories, she finds out her mishaps were unintentionally caused by Gloria’s nostalgic drawings of  Barbie dolls that portray her own insecurities and the loneliness she feels from the lack of affection from her daughter. 

Gloria becomes an important character in the movie, representing the unrealistic standards of women in a patriarchal society. Being a woman, a mother, and a worker, she plays a vital role in bringing attention to the contradictory expectations and challenging experiences in a world that oppresses women. Despite the important statement she makes, the lack of visual representation of her experiences makes her character feel one-dimensional and artificial.

When Ken brings patriarchy into Barbie Land and turns it into Kendom, Barbie gives up and breaks down in front of Gloria. 

In response, Gloria launches into a passionate monologue that expresses her continuous frustrations with seeing women constantly tearing themselves down because of the completely false, yet ingrained ideology that women will never be enough on their own without a man. 

“It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong. 

“You have to be thin, but not too thin—and you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. 

“You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. 

“But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard! It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know.” 

Although the points Gloria makes are completely true, I didn’t feel as emotionally touched as I hoped for. The dialogue felt shallow due to the lack of actual visual representation  of those experiences, and I was left wishing there was more to it than just bringing awareness through a long speech all in one go—a feeling that kept arising throughout the entire movie. 

The movie makes a bold statement on our understanding of the underhanded patriarchy that still filters through our modern-day society. Using satire, dramatic acting, and innocently blunt dialogue, “Barbie” shows us how ridiculous and hypocritical gender roles are through the complete inversion of gender roles in Barbie Land. The popularity of the “Barbie” movie makes precision of feminist portrayal more important than ever as a movie that attracts many teenagers and young adults, and although “Barbie” delivers an insightful look into the flaws of our society, I wish the movie better utilized the power of live action, the method of showing and not telling, to create a more personal and impactful cinematic experience.

By Malo Colin

Backpacks have evolved from their utilitarian origins to become an important aspect of personal flair in the bustling halls of Lincoln High. They're no longer merely just for books and materials—they've grown into powerful fashion statements. 

The fashion landscape of Lincoln is a constantly shifting tapestry, with students enthusiastically embracing unique textures and designs in their choice of bags. From the plush extravagance of fur backpacks to the practicality and chic appearance of tote bags, side bags, slings, and graphic bags, the options seem limitless. 

Richard Kuang, a student at Lincoln, embodies this fusion of style and practicality with his black tote sling bag. 

He candidly admits, "I disliked the whole backpack thing and thought it was really boring." 

For students like Kuang, the bag is more than an accessory; it's a reflection of their individuality. Adorning their bags with personalized patterns and meaningful accessories, students like Kuang convey their interests and passions. 

As he proudly points out, "I have little keychains that I dedicate to things I like. In a sense, it's sort of an extension of myself and my interests."

The extent to which students take their backpack customization varies widely. Some students opt for bags adorned with textured patterns and vibrant, eccentric colors that make a bold statement. 

However, while style often takes center stage, practicality remains a pivotal consideration for students at Lincoln. Lockers may be in short supply, and students often need to stow all of their necessary materials in their backpacks. Brands such as Jansport and Herschel have carved a niche in this market, offering backpacks that strike a balance between fashion and functionality. These bags come equipped with features like designated compartments for laptops, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their academic endeavors.

For those like Kuang who gravitate toward unconventional bag choices, there can be trade-offs in functionality. Kuang candidly acknowledges that his stylish tote bag, while a reflection of his personality, may lack in storage space.

"If I don't have any space in my tote," he explains, "I just kind of carry all the extra things in my hands."

It's a testament to the fine line that students walk at Lincoln, striving to express themselves through their backpacks while ensuring they can meet their academic needs.

In conclusion, backpacks at Lincoln have transcended their practical origins and emerged as a means of personal expression. The array of styles and designs on display is a testament to the diverse tastes and interests of the student body, with a delicate balance between fashion and functionality. These backpacks are more than just carriers of textbooks; they are canvases upon which students paint their individuality and make their mark on the bustling halls of Lincoln.