Every action has a consequence. That’s the basic concept when it comes to addressing immoral behavior. If a child draws on the walls, they get their screen time taken away. If a student talks back to the teacher, they get sent to the principal’s office. 

When actions are labeled criminal, the consequences become much more severe. 

The American criminal justice system has faced criticism at every level for issues ranging from racial disparities and harsh sentencing to overcrowded prisons and inadequate rehabilitation efforts. The first instinct is to punish rather than to look into what’s really driving the motives. 

No one is born a criminal, but a complex interplay of environmental, social and personal factors can influence one’s path and choices throughout life. Unfortunately, that’s not how the criminal justice system sees it. 

At the ripe age of 10, I was aware that children could be punished under the law. I don’t know how or why people in my grade were talking about what causes a person to be sent to juvie, but it was a discussion I remember well. I had never been more scared of stepping out of line than I had then. If I had known children could be sent to adult prison, I don’t think I would’ve left my house. 

In Minnesota, the juvenile court can decide that a child over the age of 14 can be tried in adult court based on the offense or past criminal actions. If they are 16 years old and have committed first-degree murder, a child may be charged and convicted in adult court without going through the juvenile court’s certification process, regardless of the child’s previous record. 

Research has shown no positive impacts when it comes to trying juveniles as adults. 

Youth who are prosecuted in the adult system are 34% more likely to recidivate, and with more violent offenses, compared to those handled by the juvenile system. People under the age of 18 are much more likely to be sexually assaulted than older inmates. Youth detained in adult prisons are roughly five times more likely to die by suicide compared to their peers held in juvenile detention centers. 

Incarcerating children alongside adults can deprive them of essential programs and services like basic and specialized education or crucial treatment and counseling, hindering their opportunities for healthy development. 

Despite all of these harrowing statistics, Minnesota still has the age set at 14. 

Changing the age limit is not an impossible task. Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have added 17-year-olds to their youth eligibility for juvenile courts. Fewer youths have been incarcerated in all four states over the period studied.

When it is clear that the solution of putting children in prison doesn’t work, the hesitancy to adopt alternative methods is even more confusing. 

“I think the hesitancy is [how] our culture understands crime and punishment,” said Cynthia Prosek, the executive director at Restorative Justice Community Action. 

Instead of using retributive justice, it’s time for restorative justice. Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior. 

“Restorative [justice] is really about the whole person, it’s not just about the negative event,” Prosek said.

People see criminal activities through a black-and-white lens. It is easy to dismiss a person’s actions as evil, rather than uncovering the root of the issue and working through it. No one wants to wait and see if different methods can work because they view the risk as higher than the reward. 

The restorative justice process provides a space for all parties to participate in dissecting the implications and effects of a person’s actions in a respectful manner. Accountability is a key part of that process, but this is dependent on whether the person who committed the crime accepts their part and voluntarily chooses to be a part of the restorative method.     

“It’s about creating relationships and meaningful accountability. So it empowers the referred participant, in this case, youths, to be in charge of their own change,” Prosek said 

The system is broken, it’s time to fix it. Children have no place in adult prisons and taking the step to eliminate that possibility is the first thing that needs to be done when thinking about how to change such a flawed system. 

When will women win? It seems every battle is uphill and every victory is small. The fight for equal pay within the workforce has been an ongoing campaign that seems to have stagnated. The focus is directed towards how much progress has already been made rather than how much more needs to be done. 

Minnesota ranks 20th among U.S. states for the gender wage gap. Minnesotan women, on average, make $0.79 for every dollar men make. This gap becomes larger when you factor in women of color. These statistics are even more alarming when considering the fact that Minnesota ranks second in the nation for women’s workforce participation.

Women are dominating the workforce, yet there is still a gap in pay. The old excuses of education cannot be made anymore, since women now outstrip men in educational attainment in the U.S. and Minnesota. This begs the question, why do these disparities exist, and what needs to be done?

“We do a lot of intentional listening sessions with our impacted communities across the entire state, and what we found is that there’s so much around leadership development, navigating systems, being able to have access to opportunities and resources,” said Chanida Phaengdara Potter, vice president of strategic communications & narrative change at the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota.

For marginalized communities and for those in rural greater Minnesota, resources and opportunities are not easily available. Many feel isolated or gatekept because they are withheld from these chances, Potter said. 

For Hmong, Native American and Latina women, the wage differential with white men is twice as large, and it is about three times greater for Somali women than it is for white women in Minnesota. 

There is no definitive legislation at this time addressing the gender wage gap. When that conversation is on the table, it is important for legislators to hear from these marginalized communities who continue to be railroaded, even when they contribute so much to the workforce. 

I have had female friends talk to me about how a male coworker has been given a promotion over them, or how their boss has made jokes that have made them deeply uncomfortable and how it is impossible to stand up to these situations without considering the consequences that may arise from stepping out of line. The underlying fear of physical repercussions or being blacklisted as someone who is difficult to work with can carry far more weight than is perceived.  

While institutions have a large part to play in the gender wage gap disparities, so does societal expectation. 

“I think there’s this guilt mechanism that’s always at play, too,” said Jen Westmoreland, chair of the Hopkins School board who is running for Hennepin County commissioner for District 6. “I’ve had times when there have been school board meetings, the same night that my kid had a concert, for example, and not being able to attend their concert was both personally painful for me and then also there was a level of guilt that was placed on top of this, messages like you’re a bad mom if you don’t go to everything that your child is involved in.”

The concept of work-life balance holds a different meaning when it comes to being a parent. People who are caretakers are expected to give enough attention to their children while remaining competitive in their respective fields. Giving too much attention to work makes you a selfish parent, but focusing on your family means you are not a hard worker. 

Research has shown fatherhood can increase a man’s earnings while being a mother can reduce a woman’s. This disparaging statistic is a clear example of women being penalized for having children while men are celebrated. Men are expected to be the breadwinners and are therefore compensated with that idea in mind. Women are expected to take care of the household, with the implication being that they will devote less time to their work. 

It’s not just up to legislative action to change these norms. It begins at the school level and goes up to the corporations that benefit from their employees’ efforts. 

“I think educating about the gender wage gap specifically is a really important thing so that students of all genders understand where that came from, how patriarchy has shaped every single system and practice in this country,” Westmoreland said. “Understanding these overarching systems of oppression, and then also specifically what that looks like, and using statistics and data to help paint a picture for students and really giving them the tool to advocate for better conditions.”

Both Potter and Westmoreland highlighted the influence a diverse set of leaders can have. By having people with diverse backgrounds in power, conversation can come from a place of understanding rather than impositions of what is deemed right. 

“There’s still so much more work to be done around internal challenges with human resources and in the ways in which there’s more transparency about salaries and also the openness I think from leadership, especially senior leadership, to say it’s okay to negotiate and here’s our range,” Potter said. 

The fight for equal pay has become stagnant, but that doesn’t mean it has lost its relevance. The road ahead is long, but with collective efforts, transparency and understanding, progress is possible.

Watching your favorite sports team lose can be a frustrating experience. Fans who have taken time out of their day or money from their paychecks to support their favorite team feel betrayed and heartbroken when their team does not perform in the way that was expected.

Some fans will take this negative experience and push it aside to try and remain hopeful for the next game, but others will take their pain and project it onto those they feel are to blame: the players. 

There has been frequent conversation about racism in sports, but the discussion always seems to be centered around the organizations that run the teams rather than the fans who watch. It is easy to dismiss hateful rhetoric as passion or frame the people being called out as just a few bad apples. 

When the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 14, running back Alexander Mattison received racist messages from fans who blamed him for the outcome of the game. Mattison posted images of the messages on Instagram and released a statement urging people to remember he is a person under the helmet and this racial abuse is unacceptable.

The Vikings and the NFL also released statements condemning the racist behavior and supporting Mattison. 

“Black athletes always get this kind of stuff in their social media and hate mail, but I think it’s kind of intensified and became easier because of fantasy sports,” Douglas Hartmann said, a sociology professor specializing in race and sports studies. “Because people get so personally attached to their teams and their players, they take it so personal, when those failures happen that they feel empowered and just not cautious at all about what they say.”

Athletes of color, specifically Black athletes, are expected to take every racist interaction on the chin. They are meant to accept these behaviors as part of the trade-off for success in their field. 

Black success in the sports realm comes with strings and limitations. Black athletes are expected to act in ways that are acceptable to white norms while remaining silent about any issues that arise. This expectation comes from the owners of these leagues as well as the fans who project their fantasies about ownership and social control onto the players, according to Hartmann. 

Releasing a statement in response to bad fan behavior is a common practice in the world of sports. The organizations will release statements to let people know that this sort of behavior is wrong and then move on. There are few instances where punishment is doled out, therefore ensuring the continuance of such abhorrent actions by fans. 

The media is guilty of this as well, handling racist fan behavior as a headline rather than a real issue. The news cycle refreshes quickly and writers are expected to continue to push out stories to ensure they do not miss an ounce of content. The lack of accountability for fans can therefore be partially attributed to the lack of substance given to the matter. 

It is not just American football fans who are guilty of hurling racially charged language at athletes of color, but also baseball, soccer, basketball and cricket fans. 

Vinicius Junior, a Brazilian who plays for the soccer club Real Madrid, has been subjected to racist and aggressive behavior by fans in Spain. An effigy of the young player was hung from an overpass near the training ground in Madrid with a rope tied around its neck. While federations have the power to sanction teams for fan behavior, they are slow to enact this power in response to racial abuse of players. 

The hesitation surrounding placing blame on fans is all about power and money. Fans who watch feel they have a right to be critical of their sports teams, and those who are racist feel they can express those beliefs because their viewership ensures the continuation of the sport. The fans have the real power and that power has not been given limitations. 

The Boston Red Sox have taken a step towards changing this norm. Red Sox President Sam Kennedy has expressed the team is considering harsh punishments for fans who racially attack the players, one of those punishments being a lifetime ban. Many baseball players have come to expect racially charged attacks from the fans in Boston, but if this ban is enforced, fans will have no choice but to adapt to the standards being set. 

Racism has not disappeared in the world of sports. Fans help perpetuate and enforce racial stereotypes and abuses within the system, and without real restrictions, there will never be change. It is easy to point fingers at the people in charge for not doing enough, but the power lies at the feet of the fans. 

Work is a key part of American culture. It’s not about working to live. We live to work. When you’re a kid you are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” While this trivial question doesn’t solidify our futures, it does shape how we envision it.

Recently, people have begun to examine what a work-life balance means and whether one can have both while remaining successful in their respective fields. When COVID-19 stopped time, people were forced to think about how healthy their relationship with work really was.

A report by Gallup’s State of the Workforce found that stress among the world’s workers reached an all-time high in 2022. While these stress levels have been steadily increasing for the past decade within the workforce, COVID led to a demand for change.

The United Auto Workers called a strike in early September against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Their demands included increased job security and a 36% pay raise, with union members calling for a 32-hour, four-day workweek with no pay cuts. Senator Bernie Sanders has become a supporter of this movement, emphasizing the importance of a shortened workweek.

Work culture is not set in stone. However, the norms we have created can feel so solid that it seems nearly impossible to break them. The idea we can have a four-day workweek without there being a catch feels too good to be true, but there are companies who have already begun adopting hybrid work environments.

Halftone Digital, a digital product design studio headquartered in Minneapolis, has been using a four-day workweek for 18 months.

“I can speak for myself when I say that I get more time with my family, I get more time with myself and I feel more recharged,” said Michael Arney, the founder of Halftone Digital. “I think overall it’s like a lowering of stress and a better quality of personal life. And I think the benefits of that come in many different forms, from the quality of work that we are doing in these 32 hours that we feel more refreshed and charged up to do and maybe even like the health benefits of being less stressed in general.”

In 2022, 61 companies in the United Kingdom participated in a trial of a four-day workweek from June to December. The employees reported a 71% decrease in burnout, 39% said they were less stressed and 73% reported increased satisfaction with their lives. The likelihood of workers quitting was down 57% for all the companies that participated. Of the companies, 92% reported they would continue with the four-day workweek, with 30% saying it’s a permanent change.

For Halftone Digital, one of the factors that led to a change in the company’s work schedule was employee retention.

“We’re a small company, and we can’t really compete with the salaries of large companies, but what we do have is we have more flexibility,” Arney said.

Ever since Halftone Digital changed to a four-day schedule, not one employee has left them.

A survey from Bankrate found that 81% of full-time workers and job seekers support a four-day week. Of those workers, 54% said they would be willing to work longer hours and more than a third would be willing to change jobs or industries if it meant a shortened workweek.

“As much as I love the four-day workweek, I don’t know if I value it above other things necessarily,” said Anna Lehman, an employee at Halftone Digital.

Lehman expressed that while she is a fan of the four-day schedule, there is always a possibility of other companies using it as an opportunity to compromise benefits.

While the four-day workweek seems feasible for many industries, especially in the corporate sphere, it is not as easily translatable when you consider the fast-food industry, health services or other jobs that fall under the broad term of essential services. If we are going to open up this possibility for some, we need to consider work expectations for all.

The biggest takeaway from this ongoing conversation is to remember humans cannot function like robots. We are malleable and vulnerable. It’s not about being lazy or a bad employee, it’s about prioritizing a life over a nine-to-five.

I remember growing up and going to the zoo. The stingray exhibit was my favorite because they were one of the few animals people were allowed to touch. We would walk around for what felt like hours, casually viewing the animals.

As I grew up, the luster started to fade. I started to notice how small the enclosures were. I would stand in front of the tiger exhibit and watch the tiger pace back and forth.

I couldn’t help but feel claustrophobic. 

Wealthy people created the first zoos as private collections, called menageries, to display their power. The modern, public zoo became popular in the 18th century during the Age of Enlightenment. Scientists wanted to research animal behavior and anatomy and, to do so, they needed to keep animals in places that resembled the animals’ natural habitats. 

The “educational day out” model of zoos lasted until the late 20th century. Zoos began rebranding themselves as contributors to conservation and the idea was that seeing zoo animals would help motivate people to care about wildlife. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization that sets standards and policies for facilities in the United States and 12 other countries. For institutions that want to be accredited by the AZA, conservation focus must be a key component of their institution. 

Despite the increasing emphasis on conservation and humane treatment of animals in modern zoos, some critics contend keeping animals in captivity is cruel. They argue captivity robs wild animals of their natural behaviors and instincts. 

”As an accredited sanctuary, we do not believe in public contact or direct contact with wild animals,” said Tammy Thies, founder and executive director of The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minneapolis. “We feel that is putting our needs above the animals.”

According to Thies, the idea of public access to these animals through a zoo or sanctuary is fairly old-school. Thies said it was originally believed public interaction with animals would increase public interest in conservation. This has not been the case.

The question is, who are zoos for?

More than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide each year, but biodiversity is still declining. The A.Z.A. claims its members host more than 50 reintroduction programs for species listed as threatened or endangered. However, a vast majority of zoo animals will spend their whole lives in captivity, either dying of old age or being culled as “surplus.” 

I recently visited the Como Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota and found the experience to be devastating. While walking through the penguin exhibit, my friend and I shared a look of mutual displeasure at the size of their enclosure. The exhibit was made to resemble their natural habitat, but the large boulders and bright blue water were anything but natural. 

When I went to the polar bear exhibit, the polar bear was nowhere to be seen. The temperature outside was in the high 90s, which explains the absence. The enclosure was made with an outside extension where the polar bear can roam. In the absence of the polar bear, the small pile of slowly melting ice cubes in the enclosure seemed all the more stark. 

Watching animal documentaries helps form two clear images of right and wrong in my head. In these documentaries, the animals roam far and wide, existing as they were meant to: within nature and without human interaction. When looking at the animals enclosed and desolate, the sense of wrongness became stronger. 

Certain species have a particularly hard time when held within the bounds of captivity. Elephants, for example, are particularly unhappy in zoos due to their size, social nature and cognitive complexity. Zoo elephants tend to die young, and many suffer from arthritis and other joint problems from standing on hard surfaces. 

Dolphins are another animal species that are highly sociable and suffer in captive settings. The Minnesota Zoo dolphin exhibit ended because of this. The dolphin exhibit was one of the most popular at the zoo, but after the sixth dolphin in their collection died in 2012, the exhibit closed.

The first death was in 2006 when a seven-month-old calf jumped out of the water and cracked its skull. Officials at the Minnesota Zoo say the dolphin shortage forced their decision, not the mistreatment of the animals. Regardless, the dolphin deaths support the argument that animals are not better off just because they are enclosed in a controlled space. 

Animals suffer mentally when they are within the confines of zoos. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on some of their animals to help them deal with the mental effects of captivity. 

We need to start looking at the experiences of animals and put their needs above our entertainment. Conservation efforts are important, but the goal should be for the endangered animals to be released back into the wild. They should not be held under the guise of education. For zoos to retain their relevance, there must be a change in objective. 

“I think the biggest thing is that it’s about seeing where we have common ground and where we can work together because people make change from inside,” Thies said. “I always say let’s work on shutting down the bottom feeders. That’s kind of what you see in Tiger King and those kinds of things. But organizations that are trying to do good, let’s collaborate more and see where we can come together for the animals.”

While they have held a long-standing position as places of entertainment and education, the growing recognition of the mental and physical toll captivity takes on animals urges us to reevaluate their purpose. The true measure of success for zoos should not solely be based on visitor numbers but on their genuine commitment to the well-being of the animals they house. 

The path forward involves fostering a collective effort to safeguard wildlife and protect their natural habitats. It is time for the government to help provide funding for sanctuaries and encourage collaboration between zoos and sanctuaries to help create real change. 

It’s not about what humans want, it’s about what the animals need. 

Going out to eat with your friends and family is an experience everyone enjoys. With a vast amount of restaurants to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down a location. For many Muslims, however, those options are narrowed by the fact few places in Minnesota offer halal dining. 

In Islam, Muslims are expected to consume only halal items. Halal means permissible in Arabic. Food that is halal must adhere to Islamic requirements. 

“The animal can’t be killed in front of other animals because it will cause the other animals to feel fear,” said Amina Sanchez, an employee at the Rabata Cultural Center & Bookshop. “The way that the animals are treated before they’re killed matters as well. They’re not supposed to be abused and you have to say the name of God before you kill the animal.”

Animal care is an essential part of the halal process. Animals must be fed vegetarian diets and cannot be treated with antibiotics or growth hormones, since the hormones may contain pork-based ingredients. 

While many Arabic, Somali and Indian restaurants in Minnesota offer halal options, it is difficult to find popular food chains that offer the same novelty. 

“It’s really difficult. You can’t go to McDonald’s or Burger King in Minnesota and expect them to serve halal options, but there are places like Chicago and Texas, where there is a large Muslim population, and they have chain restaurants that offer halal food as well,” said Shameem Khan, a Muslim citizen of Minnesota. 

It’s difficult to ascertain the exact population of Muslims in Minnesota because the U.S. Census Bureau is prohibited from asking questions relating to religion on census forms. In the Twin Cities, the Muslim population range is estimated to be around 20,000 to 130,000, depending on the source. 

Introducing halal options can be great for business.

The French fast food chain Quick was able to identify the benefits of offering halal options in areas where there was a high Muslim population. The chain conducted a six-month trial in several large cities around France and found that sales of giant halal burgers ran far ahead of the national average, as well as doubling customers and increasing the amounts they spent. Quick had to hire 25 more staff at each of the 22 halal-only outlets to keep up with demand.

The Muslim population in America is projected to become the second-largest religious group by 2040. Already, demand for halal meats is on the rise, with sales increasing by 15% from 2012 to 2015, according to a Nielsen report of U.S. sales. 

Restaurants like BB.Q Chicken in Minneapolis, Popeyes in Brooklyn Center and Thai Express in Maple Grove (where I work) are serving halal options in their prospective locations. These restaurants acknowledge the demand in Minnesota and are adapting their menus to expand their market base. 

Advocating for halal options is the first step that needs to be taken. Starting in 2017, the University of Minnesota began offering Kosher and halal foods in dining halls. Jewish and Muslim Student groups were able to accomplish this by speaking up and letting the University know what they needed. 

“The issue is, many restaurants don’t know what the word halal is or what it means,” Khan said. “If we [Muslims] talk to them or explain that the demand is there, they may begin selling halal as well.”

The concept of halal food, however, is not met without controversy. 

Thomas Reuters and DinarStandard analyzed over 50,000 social media posts that mentioned the word “halal” by people 18 to 35 in 2016 and found 18% of posts had Islamaphobic themes. The origins of these posts were more likely to come from Europe, Australia and the United States. 

In 2014, Denmark announced that it would ban halal and kosher slaughtering practices. In Denmark, it is unlawful to slaughter animals before sedation. Jewish law strictly forbids the use of stunning, and in Islamic law, the use of stunning is not recommended. 

Dismantling the fear of the unknown is important when creating positive rhetoric. The word halal is not something that should incite panic. When it comes to food, it signifies how meat has been prepared. If the classifications gluten-free or vegetarian do not stir a reaction, then neither should terms like kosher or halal. 

Embracing the diversity of dietary needs and preferences is vital for a thriving and inclusive restaurant industry. While the availability of halal options in Minnesota may currently be limited, there is a growing awareness of the demand for such options among the Muslim population. It is time for restaurant owners to meet diverse communities halfway and start adding options that accommodate all dietary needs. 

The feature I notice first on a person is always their nose.

Large, small, crooked or straight, my eyes narrow in on the center point of the face. This is of course a reflection of my own personal insecurities.

I grew up hating my nose.

Living in a predominantly white state, I never felt like my facial features fit what was considered beautiful. What made me different was my ethnic nose. The little bump that was genetically destined to fit on my face was deemed imperfect by the beauty standards of the country I was raised in.

Resentment was inevitable.

Western beauty ideals include being thin and tall, having big breasts, large eyes, a small nose and high cheekbones. Beauty filters on Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok usually reflect that same paradigm. The Western mold has not lost its appeal because mass media continues to reinforce these features as the gold standard. 

A national survey called the Inaugural ASPS Insights and Trends Report: Cosmetic Surgery in 2022 found many Americans are now investing in themselves through cosmetic procedures. After conducting a nationwide survey of member surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons discovered that over 75% of cosmetic-oriented plastic surgery practices are experiencing increased business compared to pre-pandemic levels, with almost 30% indicating their business has at least doubled. 

Cosmetic surgery is not a new concept, but with the rising popularity and ever-changing beauty ideals, certain surgical procedures begin to have different implications.

25% of all cosmetic plastic surgery patients in 2013 were Asian, Black or Hispanic. Hispanic Americans had nearly 1.7 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2013. The most commonly requested surgical cosmetic procedures were nose reshaping, breast augmentation and liposuction, likewise for African Americans, who had more than 1.2 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Asian Americans had 988,000 cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2013, most commonly requesting nose reshaping, eyelid surgery and breast augmentation.

The procedure that dominated all three demographics: nose reshaping.

Supermodel Bella Hadid got a nose job at the age of 14. She was deemed the “ugly sister” and felt altering part of her would help increase her worth. This change may not be the reason she became one of the most popular models in the world, but the absence of this feature can be felt. 

People are changing their noses to fit the Eurocentric vision of beauty. A thin bridge, a lift at the tip of the nose or smaller nostrils are associated with European features. The power of Western media spans worldwide, shaping what people consider to be the epitome of all things beauty and fashion. 

Adapting to the established norms has been a concept instilled into people of color in the past through colonialism and is reflected now through media. Evidence indicates the contemporary beauty standard for women in Asia exhibits alignment with Eurocentric ideals. East Asian beauty standards, for instance, emphasize features such as large eyes, a narrow nose bridge and a fair complexion. 

I once used a filter that gave the dimensions of what was considered to be the perfect, symmetrical face and found that no part of me fit into the lines that were drawn out by the filter. The automatic negative attestation that I don’t fit followed me for quite some time after. 

It is impractical to expect everyone to feel the same way in regards to cosmetic procedures. Many people are able to gain a sense of confidence they never had before. People are able to make conscious decisions about their outward appearance to reflect what they want the world to see, and that sense of control shouldn’t be looked down upon. However, a person’s vulnerability shouldn’t be taken advantage of, either. 

A doctor’s approach to patient consultations and how they determine the most suitable procedures for each individual are incredibly important. 

“First, you have to ask the patient what bothers them and what their thoughts [are] on why they’re there and what they want addressed. Getting their point of view is the first sort of principle,” said Doctor Umar Choudry, associate professor in the division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the University of Minnesota Medical School. “The second one is to assess whether what they’re asking for is not only reasonable but technically we can do it and achieve it to their satisfaction. And then lastly, you have to make sure that they’re good medical candidates.”

Outside of the specifics of the medical realm, public perception and the conversations surrounding plastic surgery become important as well.

With the acceptance of cosmetic surgery comes transparency. Many public figures are coming out and letting their followers know about their reasons for changing their appearance. There are many misconceptions when it comes to plastic surgery which makes honest and open conversation essential. 

“The biggest misconceptions are that they [cosmetic procedures] are only done for vanity reasons. Many people have these procedures done to enhance their self-confidence and improve their overall quality of life,” Dr. Choudry said. “Another misconception may be that it is cost prohibitive, and only very rich people get cosmetic surgery. However, most patients are middle class. Lastly, there is a misconception that cosmetic surgery is not really surgery – these are real surgeries that should be done by board-certified surgeons in their field, and these surgeries have real risks involved.”

I have realized my personal perception of beauty has been influenced by a flawed system. Instead of altering my appearance to fit into the narrow mold of Western beauty standards, I chose to celebrate my unique features. Media platforms have started to embrace diversity and increase the showcasing of a wider range of beauty, but there is always more that can be done.

As the conversation surrounding cosmetic procedures continues it is important to emphasize the influence conformity can have. Personal agency and informed decision-making must be at the forefront when it comes to public figures sharing their experiences.

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory in May declaring our country is facing a loneliness epidemic. The advisory relayed that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is what brought loneliness to the forefront of people’s minds. Everyone felt it and everyone was hurt by it. This feeling of loneliness can be so hard to identify, and for those who are unfamiliar with the experience, it can be hard to define. 

“Loneliness is not a technical term and it’s not a clinical disorder. It can lead to disorders, but in and of itself, it’s just a state,” said doctor Sabine Schmid, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “The problem is, if there’s prolonged loneliness that is distressing to a person, that means they’re not getting their social needs met for an extended period of time.”

This prolonged loneliness can have a major effect on not only a person’s mental health but their physical health as well. 

Lacking social connection increases the risk of premature death by more than 60%. The physical health consequences of loneliness include a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease, a 32% increase in the risk of stroke and a 50% increase in the risk of developing dementia for older adults. 

Addressing loneliness and isolation is crucial to effectively combating the mental health crisis in America, especially considering that more than one in five adults and more than one in three young adults are affected by mental illness in the U.S. 

For young adults between the ages of 15 to 24, there has been a sharp decline in time spent with friends in person. In 2003, time spent in person with friends by this age group was roughly 150 minutes per day. This has been reduced by nearly 70%, with those in 2020 reaching only 40 minutes per day.

In an age of digital connectedness, it is fair to wonder why young adults are experiencing such high rates of loneliness. 

“Young adults are higher in need of social connectedness than other age groups,” Schmid said. “Loneliness is prevalent, not necessarily because they spend less time with others, but because when it [social connectedness] is taken away, they then feel deprived much more quickly.”

Social media makes it possible for anyone to interact online with people at any time. Communities and relationships can be formed easily when a person doesn’t have to leave their house to garner that feeling of social connectedness. 

However, something being easy doesn’t mean it’s good. 

The motives behind a person’s use of social media are extremely important. One study found that using Facebook to make new friends reduced loneliness while using Facebook for social skills compensation increased loneliness. Another recent study found that using social media for personal contact and maintaining relationships was associated with better mental health, whereas those looking to decrease loneliness through social media or looking for entertainment were associated with poorer mental health. 

Social media can create a myriad of contradicting feelings. These online experiences and interactions are still fairly unknown and require more exploration. The feelings they elicit and the norms that are established can be tricky to define as good or bad. 

“Sometimes, I wonder, have we just bought into this narrative that young people have less social skills and then we can find confirmation of that?” said psychology professor Liza Merideth. ”When they do have social skills, they’re just different social skills than previous generations are accustomed to. Digital social skills [are] still a type of social skills that are important as well.”

Live streaming is a new force that is becoming a popular form of social interaction. Twitch is one company at the forefront of this phenomenon. Twitch is an American video live streaming service that provides content related to video games, music broadcasts, creative content and “in real life” streams. They have experienced heavy online traffic, garnering an average of 2.58 million concurrent viewers in 2022, as well as 7.6 million users who stream on the platform once a month and 22.4 billion hours of content being consumed. 

Though it is a platform I do not use, in the spirit of exploration I decided to delve into it. I watched four different streams to try and understand what the interactions with users and streamers entail. The platform allows users to interact with their streamers through a chat that is visible to all those who are watching. The streamers can communicate with the group and address questions and comments in real-time.

The experience felt both intimate and invasive. Streamers were giving advice to those asking questions, ranging from lighthearted to deeply personal. The guise of honest and open communication is ensured through the intimate setting of seeing people in their homes speaking directly to users by saying their names, but the attention that is given is temporary. How can a relationship be fostered through one brief interaction?

Solutions for this epidemic can be achieved. 

“People for decades and decades have felt lonely. The first step is some level of acceptance that loneliness is a part of life for everyone,” Merideth said.

Large-scale intervention is necessary as well.

“I would like to see more support for mental health care. I would love more resources for social support and preventative care, especially for young adults so they don’t get to be in this place where they need to be in a partial hospital program or in the hospital later in life,” Schmid said.

By prioritizing early intervention and providing adequate resources, we can work towards a healthier society. 

If you’re lonely, don’t be afraid to share those feelings with others because. Chances are, someone else is feeling the same way as you.

Black mothers are dying and the United States’ medical system is to blame. 

The World Health Organization defines maternal death as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management.

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations. The U.S. rate for maternal deaths in 2021 was 32.9 per 100,000 live births, which is more than ten times the estimated rates of countries like Japan, Australia and Spain.

Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. 

Minnesota released in 2022 its first-ever maternal mortality report. The report examined maternal deaths during or within one year of pregnancy from 2017 to 2018. Black Minnesotans accounted for 23% of pregnancy-related deaths despite comprising only 13% of the birthing population. 

These disparities are inexcusable and preventable. 

These maternal deaths affect all Black women, regardless of socioeconomic standings. 

Black women who have a college education or higher have a pregnancy-related mortality rate that is more than five times higher than that of white women. U.S. Olympian Tori Bowie was found deceased on May 2 at the age of 32. The gold medalist was eight months pregnant and died due to complications from childbirth. According to the autopsy report, Bowie was undergoing labor alone and her toxicology report was negative. 

For many Black women, going to the hospital does not mean getting their needs met, it means being told they are fine and having their concerns dismissed.

Why should they trust a system that was built off of their ancestors’ distress?

The history of modern gynecology starts with the abuse of Black women. James Marion Sims, who is considered to be the father of modern gynecology, conducted research on enslaved Black women without anesthesia. He operated under the idea that Black people didn’t feel pain the same as white people. 

This belief, while archaic, is still prevalent today. 

The University of Virginia conducted a study in 2016 and found that half of a sample of white medical students and residents endorsed the belief that there are biological differences between Black and white people and reported lower pain ratings for a Black target. Those who endorsed this belief made less accurate treatment recommendations for Black patients. 

Structural racism in medicine leads to patients not being heard. It is time to face the facts: we have not learned from the past. These gross injustices lead to the continual suffering of Black people. 

Change starts at home. 

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act in 2021. This bill required all hospitals with obstetric care and birth centers to develop continuing education on anti-racism and implicit bias for direct care employees and contractors who routinely care for pregnant and postpartum patients. 

The fiscal year 2024 federal budget proposed by President Biden allocates $471 million in funding aimed at decreasing rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. The budget plan additionally focuses on enhancing maternal health programs in rural communities and implementing implicit bias training, among other initiatives.

The legislative efforts — such as the Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act in Minnesota and the proposed budget allocation by President Biden — show promising signs of recognizing the severity of this issue and taking steps to rectify it. However, true progress will require sustained commitment, ongoing advocacy and the dismantling of racist ideologies deeply embedded within our society.

As individuals, we can contribute to this change by educating ourselves, amplifying the voices of Black women and advocating for equitable healthcare access for all.

Finding someone organically can be hard. There is no vetting process, no way to check if someone is a murderer when you bump into them at a park or a bar. For those searching for a partner with the same cultural background and spiritual beliefs, it can be even more cumbersome. However, there is a traditional practice that thrives to this day: arranged marriage. 

Arranged marriage is a cultural practice in which the family, or a third party, plays a role in finding a life partner for an individual while still allowing them to have a certain degree of choice and input in the decision-making process. Consent must be full and free in an arranged marriage, that is what separates an arranged marriage from a forced marriage. 

Netflix has found success in capitalizing on the popularity of the practice with the show “Jewish Matchmaking,” which came out in 2023, and “Indian Matchmaking,” which released its third season in the same year. 

The price of finding a spouse is not cheap either. Sima Taparia, the matchmaker on the Indian Matchmaking show, charges her clients around $1,330 to $8,000.

But what’s a couple thousand when it comes to a lifetime of happiness? 

Arranged marriage is a prevalent practice for people from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, and many Asian and African diasporic communities living in the U.S. or Europe. A 2018 survey in India that consisted of more than 160,000 households found that 93% of married Indians said theirs was arranged, just 3% claiming they had a “love marriage.” 

The Western view of arranged marriage sparks images of child brides, strangers being wed and a complete lack of autonomy for both parties. While this is true in some instances, it is not the norm. For those who find matchmakers to be a bit old-fashioned, there are websites like shaadi.com and singlemuslim.com, or apps such as Salams and Dil Mil.  

However, dating apps, while a popular way to meet people, can be hit-or-miss. For female users, these apps can be a scary place with 57% of users between the ages of 18 to 34 reported being sent sexually explicit messages or images they didn’t ask for. Dating apps are for just that, dating. Announcing your personal search for a spouse can be seen as a bit of a red flag for the casual Tinder user. 

Minnesota is home to many people from the Desi and Muslim communities. When our families emigrated, they brought their beliefs and cultural practices with them. Going to a matchmaker or being set up by a mutual acquaintance is the norm when it comes to connecting couples. 

For those who want to marry within the same culture or religion they grew up in, it’s difficult living in areas where the population is predominantly white, like Minnesota. This leads families to search for matchmakers who can act as a bridge for people who live in different states or countries. 

“The best base for a marriage is respect. We call it growing love, not falling in love,” said Shazia Zirvi, a matchmaker from New Jersey. “You’re doing the background searches on who the parents are, where the family comes from, what their lifestyle is, are they well educated? Because culturally and traditionally, marriages are not just between husband and wife but the families as well — you’re gonna eat together, do holidays together, share grandchildren together. It’s important for them to get along.”

Marriage isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t need to be. But for those who are looking for love and find that they are not looking in the right places, I suggest seeking out a matchmaker.

Don’t worry, the stakes are low. It’s just the rest of your life.