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The New and Improved West Side Story

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One of the most anticipated musicals of 2020 is the new “West Side Story,” which will be directed by Steven Spielberg. Loosely based off of Romeo and Juliet, “West Side Story” follows the tragic love story of Tony and Maria, whose ties to rival gangs inhibit them from being together.  The gangs’ main difference is that one gang, the Jets, are white, and the other gang, the Sharks, are Puerto Rican.

In 2018, Ansel Elgort was cast as Tony and newcomer Rachel Zegler was cast as Maria. When casting for Maria, as well as for the rest of the Sharks, Spielberg made it clear he was only looking for Latinx people to fill these roles.

The original “West Side Story” is arguably a cult classic. This movie was filmed in 1961 and quickly became a fan favorite. However, if it was released today, it might not receive the same praise. Unlike Spielberg’s explicit desire to cast Latinx actors in the roles that require them, the original directors, Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, did not do the same.  

A lot has changed in the 59 years since the movie was released. Things that were popularly accepted back then are more commonly questioned today. In the case of the original movie, casting primarily white actors to play Latinx roles was acceptable. In fact, not only were white actors cast in Latinx roles, but they were required to have their skin painted darker to “better” portray a Puerto Rican character. Today, this sort of thing is extremely frowned upon, and we recognize that it is not acceptable in any way. 

More than ever, it is apparent that different cultures should be celebrated for their unique individualities, as well as what brings us together as a larger community. Appropriation of culture and ignorance of the beauty each one holds is a disservice to everyone. Taking an example from Spielberg, we would do well to remember the importance of representing each individual culture with the utmost respect. 

The change in not only our ideals but in our understanding and respect for different cultures is significant. The importance of Spielberg specifically casting Latinx actors in the roles that require them is something that should not be celebrated, but acknowledged. We should not praise him for doing what should have been done in the original movie. 

Instead, we can simply acknowledge the change and how important it is that we continue to do so. It is important to register these types of things in our history, acknowledge them for what they are, and make the changes that need to be made in ourselves today. 

“West Side Story” is set to be released on December 18, 2020. 

CALM by 5SOS Album Review

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Their previous album, “YoungBlood,” gave their listeners a more pop-infused sound blended with the rock sound they always possess. 5 Seconds of Summer continue to evolve their sound with each record, and they continue to surprise their fans with new sounds and storytelling. 

The band first teased the “CALM” with its first lead single “Easier,” released in May 2019. The song itself was just a quick snippet of what the rest of the album had to offer. The album starts off with “Red Desert”—a bold introduction that leaves you wanting more. “Red Desert” gives off a bluesy soul, Spanish-flavored guitar work and catchy choruses that go beyond anything the band has ever done — but the surprises don’t end there.

“Shout Out to the Old Me” is an homage to their younger selves. Straying away from blues and soul, I give 5 Seconds of Summer a pat on the back for stepping out of their comfort zones and giving “Old Me” an R&B vibe. In this single, the guys confess that each mistake is a learning experience and that it’s important to look back and reflect on your journey. This R&B mix is a song for the band and those who have followed their journey. 

The album exceeds people’s expectations with 39 minutes of 12 electric pop-infused songs that highlight the band’s exhilarating personalities. Although the album is mainly pop-infused, there are some 80s synth-pop grooves in there, such as “Wildflower” and “Teeth.” “Wildflower” is probably the brightest song off of the album. Providing strong drum beats, psychedelic wooshes and a heavy synth. This song emits a different sound for the band, but it’s beautiful. It’s a summery song that makes you feel euphoric. “Wildflower” lets you pretend you’re not trapped inside your house amidst a global crisis, but instead running freely through a meadow on a nice, hot summer day. 

As “CALM” comes to a close end, the album takes a soft redirection, showcasing a slower and more intimate approach. The last six songs claim a more colorful, warming and self-reflective tone. “Thin White Lies” poses a raw and emotional feeling with its languid pacing and sultry vocals. Luke Hemmings sings honestly “I don’t think I like me anymore” and pleads for “someone [to] tell me who I was before.” It’s an open act of vulnerability. 

The album ends with the saccharine, yet minimalistic song, “High.” “High” is an intriguing and contemplative track that tells the story of a man who is letting go and learning to move on. It’s a perfect summary of the album and a tribute to 5 Seconds of Summer’s ability to change, explore and mature not only with their sound, but in their personal lives, too. 

5 Seconds of Summer are without a doubt true rockstars. In the new album, the band shows off an impressive range to their audience. “CALM” is a refreshing evolution beyond their previous work in maturity and eclecticism. They incorporate a perfect mixture of genre fluidity that brings to life an album that never conforms and is always spontaneous. Showing off their pop sensibilities, new arrangements, incredible harmonies and the exploitation of their own hearts, 5 Seconds of Summer continue to flourish and remain unstoppable.  

Go stream 5 Seconds of Summer’s newest album “CALM.” Now available on all music streaming platforms.

Dreaming of Selena: Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s Legacy 25 Years Later

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When Selena is mentioned, red lips and bangs come to mind, along with the butt — yes, the butt. And don’t deny it — you’ve grabbed the scissors and cut your own bangs at some point, hoping to look good as the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” singer, and you’ve performed the “washing machine” in front of your mirror. No? Okay, maybe that was just me. 
 
Growing up in a Mexican-American household, Selena was taught at an early age. The Texas native was often played during our Saturday morning cleaning — Latinx folks, you know exactly what I mean — or experienced through her biopic “Selena” (1997). 
 
Personally, I fell in love with Selena at an early age because she was the first celebrity I saw myself in due to our matching backgrounds, languages and darker features; I believe that’s why Selena resonates with so many. She was a successful Mexican-American woman who broke barriers, teaching many young Latinx children to do the same. 
 
But in learning about her life, listening to her iconic tunes like “Como La Flor” and “Baila Esta Cumbia” and quoting “Anything for Selenas,” came learning about her untimely death on March 31, 1995; Selena was murdered by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was only 23-years-old. 
 
Since her passing, Selena has been remembered in many ways throughout the years, including in “Selena,” a biographical drama on Selena’s life, starring up-and-comer Jennifer Lopez as Selena. The film, which was released on March 21, 1997, shared Selena’s life story, starting from her father’s beginning as a struggling musician in the 60s to their struggles in the 70s and 80s, and her accomplishments and ultimate death in the 90s. 
 
The Quintanilla family joined the film’s team as producers, giving advice on the film’s direction for accuracy and authenticity. The family mentored and shared numerous mementos and rare footage of the singer with Lopez, helping her understand Selena and her mannerisms and personality. Lopez even slept in Selena’s bed and moved in with Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister, while preparing for her role. 
 
Not only did “Selena” share Selena’s story with millions, but it also shined a light on Latinx culture and struggles within the community; some themes tackled in “Selena” were the male-dominated Tejano music industry, generational differences between parents and their children and having to be “twice as perfect” by adhering and assimilating to two different cultures. 
 
“We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time! It’s exhausting,” said Edward James Olmos as Abraham Quintanilla Jr. in “Selena.”
 
Years later in 2016 and 2017, Selena earned two major pop culture recognitions. After over 100,000 people signed a petition for Madame Tussauds to create a sculpture of the singer, Madame Tussauds Hollywood unveiled their official Selena wax sculpture. The sculpture replicated the bedazzled and vibrant purple look she wore while recording “Selena Live” at the Corpus Christi Memorial Coliseum in 1993, which earned her a Grammy in 1994 for Best Mexican-American Album. 
 
On November 3, 2017, Selena was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; Los Angeles also named the day “Selena Day.” Selena’s old bandmates, family and husband joined in on the celebration and revealed her star, which can be found in front of Capitol Records. Selena often visited the building after signing with EMI Latin.
 
In 2015, Selena superfan Patty Rodriguez created a petition, asking for MAC Cosmetics to release a Selena for MAC makeup collection — and MAC listened. On October 6, 2016, MAC delivered the Selena collection, which was packaged in purple —her favorite color. The collection featured lipsticks, eyeshadows, a bronzer and blush duo, lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara and brush — all named after songs or Selena-related titles. It sold out instantly.  
 
On April 21, 2020, MAC Cosmetics released another Selena makeup collection due to the first one’s success and in celebration of her legacy 25 years later. The new makeup line, titled “Selena La Reina,” or “Selena the Queen,” was inspired by the singer and her iconic rhinestone bustier. The makeup collection sold out instantly, too. 
 
Selena La Reina includes 14 makeup products and a makeup bag, packaged in radiant holographic packaging. The collection includes products like lipsticks, an eyeshadow palette, lip glosses and more, ranging in different colors and metallic and matte shades. Like the first collection, Selena La Reina’s products are named after songs or Selena-related titles such as: “The Washing Machine,” “Big Bertha,” “Me Siento Muy Excited,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “Hey, Dad! Pizza!” 
 
The most recent and anticipated Selena-related project is “Selena: The Series,” a biographical drama series based on Selena’s life is set to be released on Netflix’s streaming service sometime in 2020. However, there’s little information on the upcoming two-parter (first 10 episodes will be released this year). 
 
“As Mexican-American Tejano singer Selena comes of age and realizes her dreams, she and her family make tough choices to hold on to love and music,” stated the Netflix’s synopsis.
 
On November 12, 2019, @selenanetflix released a teaser, showing Christian Serratos (“Walking Dead” and “Twilight”) as Selena in her iconic, purple jumpsuit, red lips and bangs, singing “Como La Flor.” Young Selena and her parents are also briefly shown.
Written by Moisés Zamora and directed by Hiromi Kamata, the series will star Madison Taylor Baez as young Selena, Ricardo Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”) as Abraham Quintanilla Jr. and Jesse Posey as Chris Pérez. 
 
As I reach my own 23rd birthday, I often think of Selena and her legacy, wondering what would have been if she were still here with us; through her fashion sense — catch me sporting a red lip and red nails almost always— and her admirable work ethic and love for education, Selena has always served as an inspiration, and as a reminder that the “impossible is always possible.”
 
Whatever your Selena memory may be, or even if you have little knowledge or are just learning about her today, Selena has lived on in many hearts, reigning today as a Latinx cultural staple and inspiring those during and after her time. Celebrate Selena’s legacy by streaming her tunes, wearing a red lip and dancing to a little cumbia today.

The Importance of Trans Visibility

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Trans Day of Visibility, an internet holiday that celebrates and showcases transgender individuals, is celebrated annually on March 31. It is the one day a year dedicated to trans people sharing their stories and being seen and heard for their identities, for what has made them who they are. 

Trans visibility is important for multiple reasons. For one, it aids in normalizing the existence of trans people and our experiences. With more people talking about their transitions and experiences being trans, coming out and being out seems a lot less daunting. 

Visibility is important for those who are unsure of their gender identity, so they can see that there are options aside from cisgender (or, your gender assigned to you at birth). Visibility of other trans people alleviates some stress and pressure in one’s own coming out journey. Visibility can help someone who is trans realize that a lot sooner, too; if someone doesn’t have out and visible people like them to look to, or even just the knowledge of people like them existing, they have no way of knowing what their feelings or hunches mean, or they may not feel safe expressing them.

Additionally, visibility is important for cisgender people, especially parents and guardians, to see that it is okay and perfectly normal and acceptable for their child or other children in their lives to be trans and/or questioning their identity. It also gives parents some insight into their child’s identity if they are trans, and eases the transition experience on all fronts. Trans kids face a lot of adversity and flack for their identities, in part because their family and other adults are generally unaware or uninformed on issues such as these.

While it is just one day a year, Trans Day of Visibility is so incredibly important for trans people and those in their lives. 

To end this article: 

Hi, my name is Elliot, and I am a trans man. I came out as trans in August 2019, but I’ve known I am trans since 2014. It has been a rough several months, but it has also been rewarding, and I wouldn’t change my experiences or my identity for anything. I am out, and I am proud. I, and others like me, are going to continue to be out and proud; trans people are not going anywhere.

 

10 Things To Do While Practicing Social Distancing

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COVID-19 got you down? Feeling unmotivated after being sent home from school? Not able to go outside for long periods of time or hang out with friends? Me, too. Here are some ways I’ve been keeping busy while social distancing. 

  1. Read the Book You’ve Always Been Interested In: This is a great time to read the book you always meant to read but always made excuses as to why you couldn’t.  Reading is a great way to keep your mind stimulated while sitting at home for extended periods of time. It’s also a great way to seem more educated and shock your parents.
  2. Make Your Way Through the List of Movies and Shows People Have Told You to Watch: We all have shows and movies we have been told we simply MUST watch, so why not try to make a dent in the list while you have the time? Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime and HBO GO are just a few streaming services you can check out. 
  3. Try out the Recipes You Have Saved on Pinterest: Anyone who has a Pinterest has seen at least one recipe they were somewhat intrigued about, and now is the perfect time to to try them out. Worst-case scenario, it doesn’t taste good, but best-case scenario, you now have something to snack on while reading or watching shows. 
  4. Do Some At-Home Workouts or Go for a Walk Around Your Neighborhood: Doing at-home workouts is a great way to get your blood pumping when you start to feel restless. Taking a walk outside and getting some much needed air and sunlight in the process is also a great way to do this. 
  5. Reorganize or Redecorate Your Room: Now is the perfect time to clean and reorganize your space, especially since most of us are now primarily confined to it. Making small changes to the space you are in can contribute to making you feel more comfortable in that space.  
  6. Discover New Music: Finding new artists is a great way to spice up your daily life in an easy but big way. New music can give you a sense of change in this relatively boring time. 
  7.  Self-care: Whether self-care means doing face masks or dyeing your hair, do whatever you need to do to unwind in this stressful climate.
  8. Pick up a New Skill: Much like number 7, this can vary from person to person. Whether it’s sewing or learning how to ride a bike, now is a great time to pick up some new skills to pass the time. 
  9. Sleep and Meditate: More than anything, now is a time to take care of yourself. Do not feel pressured to be overly productive. If you need to sleep, then do that. Meditation and sleep are great ways to unwind.
  10. Learn TikTok Dances and Have a Dance Party: Now that you have done number 6 and discovered new music, you can have a dance party. You can learn dances from TikTok or just freestyle. Having a dance party with the people you live with or by yourself is a great way to let loose and let out the pent-up energy you might have.