The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

*This article contains spoilers*

Whether you’re a comic book fangirl who's been nerd-trapped into seeing every superhero movie or your situationship coerced you into partaking in a movie and makeup sesh, you’ve probably seen at least one Marvel movie. Although you’re probably still preoccupied watching Black Panther for the tenth fifth time in theaters, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up for the opening weekend of Avengers: Infinity War. Thisflickmight seem like just another comic book turned movie, but Infinity War could be more than just a comic book movie—it could be a pivotal moment that showcases more strong female superheroes.

Black Panther’s gargantuan profit margin wasn’t the movie's only measure of success. Beyond its rising $1 billion global earnings, Black Panther created necessary representation, and heroes, for people of color. The success of this iconic film proves that superhero movies can be about so much more than comic book heroes. However, sometimes you need to destroy the exclusive system to ensure that a superhero movie is more than an action-filled adventure. In the case of Infinity War, some storyline deviations from the Infinity War mini-comic could propagate a women-led MCU.

The MCU has already teased us with inspirationally powerful and smart women characters like Princess Shuri and the Doja Milaje warriors in Black Panther. As Valkyrie herself (i.e. Tessa Thompson) is spearheading a women-led superhero movie, Marvel could use Infinity War to introduce more women of Marvel.

TheInfinity War comic books are a notorious slaughter of beloved Marvel heroes. While the Infinity War movie will likely deviate from the comics, a few on-screen heroes will still be slain in the process.

Marvel Studios President, Kevin Feige diabolically told Entertainment Weekly that “people need to be careful what they wish for” when discussing indefinite character deaths in Infinity War. Even Robert Downey Jr. revealed to PEOPLE that Marvel’s empty threats to execute everyone’s favorite heroes might not be so empty this time, implying that Marvel has plans to kill off certain main characters permanently.

Because at least one of the MCU’s characters will die in Infinity War, Marvel’s ambiguous future movie slots are open to developing the on-screen presence of some comic book characters. Since Feige alluded to multiple deaths in the upcoming film, Reddit threads have been overflowing withInfinity War inspired fan theories.

While the newest Infinity War trailer left us with a cliffhanger on the fate of Iron Man, Thor, The Vision and Captain America, we can all assume that Thor is pretty safe. Seeing as the intergalactic baddie known as Thanos gives Loki an ultimatum—give the Tesseract in exchange for Thor’s safety life—Loki will probably save Thor (at least temporarily). Although Loki has brooding daddy and brother issues that vary on any given moment, we all know that MCU’s Loki is a softy at heart and will (probs) hand over the Tesseract to keep his brother safe. We can also assume that Vision will likely die inorder to escalate the climix of the movie. However, the future of The Vision, Captain America and Iron Man are still inconclusive.

While POPSUGAR theorizes that Captain America might die (or at least become critically injured) in Infinity War, leaving his shield vacant for someone else, ~Bucky~, to wield, Cap might not be the only Avenger to meet his demise. Thanos could also cross off Iron Man’s name on his kill list.

As Nerdistexplains, Iron Man’s updated armor could foreshadow some sticky situations for Tony Stark’s future in the MCU. Although Nerdist hypothesizes that Stark’s new suit could help Stark protect Parker, Stark’s enhanced suit also puts him closer to Thanos—thus making him more susceptible to danger.

In the OG Avengers movie, Iron Man’s suit had an almost-fatal flaw: it couldn’t physically withstand space. Seeing as the new Bleeding Edge armor allows Iron Man to fly in space, as seen in Marvel’s latest trailer for Infinity War (where he’s featured talking to Thanos, presumably on Titan), Stark could use his suit to make the ultimate sacrifice. Though Stark might seem like a selfish, sarcastic playboy, he’s also a courageous hero who has been known to risk his safety to save others—including other members of the Avengers (and future Avengers).

In Iron Man 2, Stark saved a young child from Hammer drone. That youngster later grew up to become Spider-Man, as Tom Holland reveals. It’s arguable that Stark acknowledges that he saved Parker as a child; however, it’s undeniable that Stark acts as a father figure to Parker in Spider-Man and affiliate movies, which makes his sacrifice almost inevitable.

But who will fill-in for the fallen Avenger?

Although strong women leads like Shuri, the Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, and Valkyrie could take over a few of the uncertain movie spots, Iron Man’s death would leave the MCU pretty iron deficient, and several fans have already backed a solution that could help prevent the MCU’s anemia.

The end of Infinity War could reveal Riri Williams as the iron-clad replacement that the MCU needs. Williams is a known supporting character in the Iron Man and Avengers comics and even acts as her a stand-alone superhero known as Ironheart. If you don’t know who Williams is, she’s basically a teen genius who studies at MIT and learns how to hone her technological gifts thanks to Stark.

While a Reddit thread theorizes that Shuri could act as Ironheart in place of Williams, there is an alternative that could provide space for both super geniuses without erasing an important character. After all, there isn’t a limit on courageous women in the MCU, and omitting one influential character for another is problematic. 

If Stark doesn’t make it out of Infinity War, Williams could still get a chance to create her own super suit and subsequent superhero identity. One Twitter user suggests:

Not only does this theory open a scenario that allows two techie women to hone their abilities, it also fosters an empowering mentor-mentee relationship between two strong women. Though hypothetical, the potential relationship between Shuri and Williams could also help inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering and technology.

Nevertheless, Marvel is more likely to leave Iron Man’s death as a cliffhanger, like they did with whether or not Loki stole the Tesseract at the end of Thor: Ragnarok (though we all pretty much assumed the God of Mischief couldn’t resist nabbing something so shiny and lethal). Therefore, we might not know Iron Man’s fate until the next Avengers film or the Iron Man 4 movie that might not even happen.

Despite Iron Man’s fate, MCU’s transition from the current third phase to the vague fourth phase while leaving several titular roles open for some fresh faces. Marvel Studios will likely use these empty movie slots to create solo films about the inspiring women of Marvel, especially since the studio now has to compete with DC Studios’ enormously successful Wonder Woman.

In the wake of Stark’s pseudo-death, the MCU would have time to build up the storyline for another iron-clad super genius like Riri Williams, while also developing another character like Shuri. See, Stark doesn’t actually need to die (seeing as Iron Man has never died in the comics, or at least he hasn’t yet) to build another part of the MCU. In the comics, Williams only filled in for Iron Man’s superhero duties while he was in a coma, so Stark could easily return to a reigning women genius MCU without contradicting any of the potential storylines. Plus, fans support Williams' addition to the MCU, seeing as MIT vloggers created a fan-fueled trailer for Ironheart.

Regardless of how many heroes meet their temporary or permanent demise, it appears as though Marvel Studios could be building a more inclusive Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially since representation is vital. Beyond the fact that Shuri and Willams are BA techie women, their character development will show young women how important education and healthy mentors truly are.

Avengers: Infinity War slams into theaters on April 27!

We’ll be the first to admit that our online shopping addiction isn’t exactly great for our wallets – but what if we told you it’s possible to save a little cash when shopping online, while scoring unique or vintage pieces? While most of us immediately turn to vintage stores or thrift shops for deals on one-of-a-kind pieces, there are also some amazing websites out there that are basically online thrift stores (with more options!). Below, we spilled about a few of our faves.

1. ASOS Marketplace

1990s vintage embellished dark blue denim jacket ($42.73)

ASOS is already your go-to for browsing endless pages of trendy, of-the-moment pieces from your favorite brands – but did you know about their Marketplace section? ASOS Marketplace features shops from hundreds of independent designers and vintage boutiques. Since it’s a British site, tons of U.K.-based vintage and thrift stores have set up shop there – meaning you can shop some of London’s best vintage offerings without flying across the pond.

2. The Vintage Twin

Velvet midi dress ($55)

Founded in 2009 by twins Morgan and Samantha Elias (hence the name), The Vintage Twin is a NYC-based boutique with a super well-stocked online outpost that offers reworked vintage pieces, which are hand-selected by the shop’s styling team. If you’re looking for a unique piece that no one else will have (because everything is one-of-a-kind!) this is the place to find it.

3. Poshmark

Topshop studded leather jacket ($50)

Apologies in advance, but Poshmark is about to become your latest iPhone distraction. The app allows you to browse used pieces from millions of sellers – think of it as Instagram for secondhand clothing. Zara, Topshop as well as higher-end designers all regularly make appearances on Poshmark, and it’s easy to make offers or ask sellers questions about items via the app’s comment section.

4. ThredUP

Banana Republic long sleeve top ($13.99)

Offering pretty much every brand under the sun and even a section that recreates celeb looks with the site’s endless amount of offerings, ThredUP is the ideal place to score pieces from brands you’d normally shop at half the price.

5. Tradesy

Lululemon plum dance studio activewear jacket ($74)

We all have that completely out-of-budget dream bag or pair of shoes we’ll always incessantly drool over – but have you ever thought about scoring your dream piece secondhand? Tradesy offers used designer pieces, often in amazing condition for a much less sticker shock-inducing price.

6. Maeven

Vintage extra long fringe black dress ($198)

Greenpoint, Brooklyn-based vintage boutique Maeven isn’t your average vintage boutique – you won’t have to spend all day weeding (or in this case, scrolling) through duds to find “the one.” Everything in the boutique (and on its well-stocked website) is handpicked for its ability to translate to today’s trends, meaning everything is seriously that good – no need to venture into the Big Apple to dress like a trendy New Yorker.

7. Refashioner

Prada leather pleated skirt ($185)

Refashioner is a game-changer when it comes to the experience of shopping for used clothing. Alongside some rare and difficult to find vintage designer finds, the website also features a memory or story about each piece from the previous owner, which makes the thrill of finding an amazing thrifted piece even better.

There’s no need to hit up your go-to thrift or vintage store – if you know where to look, you can find some amazing secondhand pieces while curled up in bed with your laptop!

This article has been syndicated from Cuddlepill, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

I find this photo hilarious, because normally, this is how I look in the mornings (minus the makeup – I have embraced my messy hair in my normal life and don’t do much to it after waking up – thank god, because I’m lazy). Grumpy AF. My friends and family all know that I am NOT a morning person. I am angry, crabby, and on a really bad day, I’m anxious. You get the vibe – I’m just overall not pleasant in the AM. Do not speak to me until I’ve had my full cup of coffee. And oatmeal.

Real talk: This is not a quality I’m proud of. That first hour of being awake has so much influence on my attitude the rest of the day, and when I don’t start it off right, it’s probably going to be a sh*tty day. It sounds dramatic, but I swear it’s true. That said, I’ve gotten myself to adopt a little morning routine that’s helped me immensely. Nothing too drastic, just little changes that have gone a long way.

1. Meditate

Yes, everyone is hyping up the meditation thing. It’s a fad at this point, and honestly, I thought it was a bunch of BS too. Until I tried it everyday for a month. I struggle with anxiety on and off, and oftentimes, when it’s on it’s here to stay for a couple of weeks. Meditation has helped me manage my anxiety better – no, it doesn’t make it go away completely – but I’ve picked up a few breathing exercises that help and have learned how to bring my mind back to a good place when it’s gone haywire. On top of all that, I have this sense of calm as I go through the rest of my morning. I do it for five minutes right when I get up, sitting on the edge of my bed. FIVE MINUTES. Everyone has five minutes to spare.

2. Mindful skincare

I just made that up. Is that a thing? I’m making it a thing. But really, I have my serums/eye creams/moisturizer/SPF that I apply on my face every morning, and I love every minute of that process because it feels so good. I prefer just silence in the bathroom. When I do get those silent moments, I take my time and really soak in the feeling of the cool creams on my face, the soothing smells – it’s like a mini face massage. I’m telling you, it’s the little things!

3. Walk to work

So, this is under the condition that it’s not 17 degrees outside, which unfortunately, it still is here in Chicago. BUT, in the warmer months I like to walk to the office. I put on my favorite podcast of the moment and take a 30 minute walk outside. It’s a nice way to get the blood flowing, squeeze in some extra exercise, and also ease my mind into the day. I know not everyone has the luxury of living close to work, but maybe you can squeeze in a 10 minute walk to grab coffee, or walk to the train instead of taking the bus. There has to be somewhere you can walk for a bit, right?!

Read the full post here.

It's truly a beautiful day when we're teased with news of an upcoming Fenty Beauty release. This time around, we've been treated to a sneak peek of Rihanna's new creation, the Body Lava. Yeah, I know, it sounds absolutely mind-blowing.

Rihanna showed off two shades called "Brown Sugar" and "Who Needs Clothes" along with the Body Lava packaging in a Snapchat story earlier this week. True to the brand's history, the packaging is sleek and minimal. 

Soon after the Rihanna's initial post, the official Fenty Beauty Instagram posted a series of photos and videos of the products in action, and ho' boy... just imagine all the possibilities with this one. 

If Fenty Beauty has taught us anything, it's that Rihanna makes it a point to create enough shades to flatter all skin tones, so here's hoping that the Body Lava won't be exempt from that rule. Mark your calendars, babes, because the Body Lava drops on April 6. Until then, I'll just be dreaming of drizzling my body in shimmery goodness. 

Rep Image: Fenty Beauty / Instagram

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Whoever is in charge of coming up with new desserts at McDonald's is blessing us all and doing the lord's work, coming up with maybe McDonald's best idea ever: the Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry. 

The legendary treat is a blend of vanilla soft-serve, chunks of milk chocolate, and swirls of that delicious Cadbury creamy center, all topped with whipped cream. I'm drooling. 

Unfortunately, some things are too good to be true, and that's definitely the case here. The Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry will only be sold in McDonald's in Canada and Australia. 

However devastating this may be, it actually does make sense. Here in the United States Cadbury Creme eggs are usually only considered an Easter treat, and they are way more popular in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

This could be because Cadbury was first produce in the UK, or because Cadbury chocolate is distributed by Hershey in the US and tastes different. So it makes sense that the Cadbury Creme McFlurry is being tested out in countries where the candy is so popular. Hopefully people will love it so much that it will make its way over to the States. 

The Cadbury Creme McFlurry is on sale now but will only be available until Tuesday, April 10 as an Easter treat.

Road trip to Canada, anyone?

Based on the original sitcom from the 1970s, it’s easy to see why One Day at a Time has captivated America. Thankfully, Netflix also sees how important One Day at a Time is because the streaming service has renewed the critically acclaimed series for a third season, according to Variety.

Beyond disrupting our The Office binge-watching schedule, which we typically slate for every second and fourth Friday of the Monday (and expedited during our stress-induced procrastination benders), One Day at a Time is a vital addition to the Netflix family—and here are a few reasons why.

While our current Netflix fave aired in 2017, One Day at a Time revitalizes a classic series in an interesting, and necessary, way.

Although the original One Day at a Time series ran from 1975 to 1984, Netflix's remake features a new cast and script that incorporates present-day issues. Instead of whitewashing relevant issues of today, One Day at a Time features a modern Cuban-American family. Focusing on Penelope (played by Justina Machado), the mother of our fave TV family, One Day at a Time reimagines typical gender roles. Because Penelope is a veteran who battles with PTSD, Penelope's multifaceted role as a veteran, a woman and a mother proves that women can have dynamic family roles and careers. After all, CNN reports that more U.S. women are expected to join the armed forces, so Penelope’s veteran status helps the growing number of women who are active armed forces members and veterans

Nevertheless, Penelope’s struggle with her PTSD and subsequent depression creates a healthy narrative about mental health. Including compelling themes about properly treating depression helps defray stigmas around mental health—because positive representation is a start to defeating stigmas. 

Beyond her mental health treatment and serving her country, the way that Penelope continually supports her family also outlines what it means to be a modern mother. After Elena (portrayed by Isabella Gomez), Penelope’s daughter, wore an elegant white suit instead of a typical gown to her quinceañera, her father Victor refuses to dance with her during the traditional father-daughter dance. USA Today reports that Elena’s decision to forego the traditional dress followed Elena's "coming out" dialogue.

Instead of her father dancing with her, Penelope steps in as the temporary father-figure which also orchestrates a more realistic reaction to coming out. As Gomez tells USA Today, the One Day at a Time crew consulted several LGBTQIA+ organizations and representatives to make Elena’s coming out story more pragmatic. “There were quite a few LGBTQ people that were working with us that were really touched by it and really could relate to it, and they were emotional,” Gomez says.

One Day at a Time’s approach to modern coming out stories isn’t a solitary inclusion of relevant LGBTQIA+ issues. As Autostraddle reports, the series also approached non-binary relationships and representation after the show introduced Elena’s SO, Syd, who uses they/them pronouns. (Honestly, a little jealous that Elena and Syd weren’t around when I was a teen because we all need empowering LGBTQIA+ role models)

However, One Day at a Time’s ability to create positive women role models and necessary exposure for LGBTQIA+ rights aren’t the most conspicuous game-changers of the show.

Most notably, One Day at a Time creates positive representation of what it means to be a Cuban-American family.

According to NBC News, Hollywood has a habit of incorporating distasteful stereotypes about Latinxs. However, One Day at a Time is breaking down that stereotype by including insightful commentary about citizenship, racism and Cuban culture. As Vulture reports, One Day at a Time uses the Alvarez family to discuss issues about immigration, acceptance, racism and mental health.

Likewise, Variety adds the series uses Penelope’s struggles to fight the stigma around mental health that especially afflicts Cuban families. “Old school Latinos don’t really believe in depression. You work through it,” Machado tells Variety. Including Penelope’s internal struggle to open up about her mental health shows (and the fact that her family supported her throughout her treatment thereafter) and creates a positive narrative that mental health is serious and should be taken seriously.

Because Penelope’s family supports her decision to seek treatment and shows that treatment itself is necessary, One Day at a Time gives people with depression validation that their diagnosis is real. While this healthy depiction of mental health is directed toward Cuban-American families, it extends to other communities of people of color because, as the Huffington Post reports, mental health impacts people of color differently, as do the stigmas around mental health.  

Without getting mention in present-day news headlines, Vox reports that One day at a Time uses the Alvarez family to show how supporting one another, especially, can help defeat racist and prejudice jargon. Citing the incident when Alex (played by Marcel Ruiz), Penelope’s younger son, was tormented by racist statements, Vox notes that the Alvarezes supported and defended him.

Beyond casting Latinx actors and redefining what it means to be a Cuban-American, TheNew York Times adds that the One Day at a Time reboot also highlights people of color behind the cameras. In fact, Gloria Calderón Kellet is one of the show’s co-showrunners and executive producers. Plus, she’s also worked on Jane The Virgin and is a sitcom aficionado, after she wrote for How I Met Your Mother. Calderón Kellet's extensive experience with sitcoms and crafting appropriate representation in TV and cinema could also explain why One Day at a Time is able to balance political commentary and comedy consistently. 

In a time of endlessly upsetting news, One Day at a Time is the comedy we need.

Regardless, One Day at a Time is a comedy by nature, so it’s vital humorous overtones can’t go unnoticed. While One Day at a Time urges us to look at current issues more critically, it also makes us laugh and smile. 

This show can effortlessly maintain its comedic nature while dissecting issues about LBGTQIA+ rights, family, racism, mental health and so much more—so it's no wonder that Netflix renewed One Day at a Time for a third season (though TBH, we'd be happy if they renewed it for another 10 seasons right now). 

Nevertheless, we aren't the only ones who recognize the merit of this revolutionary series. Basically, the entire Twittersphere is elated that Netflix renewed One Day at a Time for another reason. 

One Twitter user tweets, "Now that @netflix has renewed One Day At a Time, can Hollywood give them all Emmys for that season two finale?" (Fingers crossed.)

Whereas, another Twitter user responds with an appropriate GIF. (Because sometimes words just can't describe our excitement.) 

Until the impending third season airs sometime in 2019, we'll continue to re-watch the first and second seasons of One Day at a Time on repeat (don't @ us). 

This article has been syndicated from The Happy Arkansan, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

Finding your personal style when you are on a budget can be difficult. How can you experiment with fashion when you have very little in your bank account? That's why we're featuring ten ways to define your personal style, even when you don't have much money to do so.

1. Take a look in your closet for inspiration

First things first, we need to look in your closet. Unless you hate everything in your closet, there is a chance that there are at least a few pieces in your wardrobe that you love.

• Any clothes you reach to all the time? What closet pieces do you gravitate toward frequently? What are the most worn pieces in your closet? Pull those out so you can examine what makes them unique.
• What do you have multiples of? Maybe you have multiple flannel shirts or many black dresses. Whatever you have multiples of means that you like the way it makes you feel in some way or another. Get to the bottom of why that is.
• Anything you haven't worn in forever? Maybe you don't like the color, the style, or anything in between. Think about the feelings you get when you skip over those pieces. Why do you do that?
• What outfit makes you feel your best? If you could pick just one outfit to be your power outfit, what would it be? Pick the entire outfit out of your closet and rock it for a bit. Get to the bottom of why it makes you feel so special.

You may also want to do a closet challenge like the Be More With Less Project 333 challenge. This challenge asks you to bring down your wardrobe to just 33 items for three months. Doing a challenge like this will make you think about what clothes make you happy, figure out how you can style them in several ways, and be aware of what you like and don't like when the three months is up.

2. Become a professional window shopper

I used to hate trying on clothes in stores, primarily when I was sure I wouldn't buy anything. I soon realized that trying on clothes is a great way to take a peek at a ton of clothes and pick pieces that honestly speak to you. You can try on a bunch of different clothes from a wide array of sources, get out of your comfort zone, and do it all without actually spending a dime.

Don't try on the entire store, but pick a few pieces you would never actually buy right off the rack and see how you like them on. Then, if you genuinely do like them, you can purchase them. Go to a variety of stores to do this, not just the ones that you usually frequent. We all know Old Navy is the best, but you gotta break out of your comfort zone and try new things!

3. Go for cheap, quality fashion

When you are on a budget, one of the best things you can do is find a few places that sell quality clothing at a low price. I recently picked up a few items from SheIn. I have to say that all of the clothing was quality. I purchased the cute scalloped pearl shirt from this post on SheIn!

There are so many sites out there that have cheap, quality clothing. It's a great way to explore more trendy fashion without spending big bucks on it if you aren't sure that you will love a trend.

Read the full post here.

When you think of Christina Aguilera, the term "natural" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind. Like so many entertainers, she's both famous for her voice and her signature look consisting of a pin-up inspired cherry-red lip and cat eye. Over the past few years, however, Christina's aesthetic has been shifting toward a sleeker, more minimal look. In her recent shoot with Paper magazine, she completes her transformation into a makeup-free, ethereal beauty. 

Photography by Zoey Grossman

She's unrecognizable in the best way possible. On how she learned to unearth this version of true to herself, Christina told Paper, "I think we go through up and down moments. There are outlets where I feel like I'm good, and that was being onstage, able to exude and release and feel. That was my form of feeling empowered." In our super plugged-in society, it's so gratifying to see an icon like Christina put forth herself in such an authentic, vulnerable state. 

Here's another shot where she is giving off those young Marilyn Monroe vibes:

Photography by Zoey Grossman

After this spectacular shoot, I wouldn't be surprised if Christina pulled an Alicia Keys and gave up makeup for good. 

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After nearly two years of silence, 5 Seconds of Summer has finally released a new single, “Want You Back,” and a killer video to go along with it.

"Want You Back" has already gained over 55 million streams worldwide, a big accomplishment for a group that started out singing YouTube covers only seven years ago. The Australian pop/rock band has even been named “biggest new rock act in the world” by Rolling Stone and their success only continues to grow. They've yet to disappoint after their first two hit albums entered the Billboard 200 at #1, and this video is no exception.

The surreal video, featuring the four band members hanging from the ceiling and climbing on the walls of a spinning room, is a far departure from their fun and hilarious videos of years past (Anyone else see“Hey Everybody!”?). But that doesn’t mean that it’s any less exciting.

If the song itself wasn’t worth the two year wait, this video sure is. It’s everything I could have ever hoped for and more.

The band is kicking off their 5SOS3 U.S. tour on April 8th in Boston, and trust me, you won’t want to miss a chance to see this song live.

Feature Image / 5 Seconds of Summer on Instagram

Like so many celebrities and the thousands of students, activists, and more that showed up to protest gun violence and promote gun control this past weekend, Selena Gomez attended the March for Our Lives in LA and strongly voiced her opinions across social media.

Unfortunately, Gomez received tons of backlash over her post on Instagram, which referenced the need for change and support for a movement that is quickly gaining massive involvement across the country. But it wasn’t her passionate demand to end the violence and her vocalization of her political views that caused such a negative reaction from fans, it was what came after—the use of the hashtag #notjustahashtag.

Hundreds of her followers and fans began filling the comments of her post and taking to Twitter to voice their outrage of what they perceived to be blatant hypocrisy on Gomez’s part.

The "Wolves" singer has been criticized in the past for her refusal to use the the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter because, in her opinion, hashtags don’t save lives. Now fans are calling her out again because this time around, she seems to think they do.

Having not voiced support for the Black Lives Matter Movement on social media, but now becoming involved in March for Our Lives, fans believe Gomez is a hypocrite for only discussing the issue of gun violence when it became prevalent in white communities.

Many are calling her sudden change of heart a representation of white privilege, and the recurring narrative of white Americans only beginning to care about issues when they become present in white communities. Issues of gun violence and police brutality have always been present in minority and marginalized communities, but only now are they becoming a widespread issue.

The students from Parkland are now using the attention they’ve been given as a chance to shine a light on communities where gun violence is a huge, unaddressed issue.

The problem of gun violence that is such a major factor in the #NeverAgain movement was just as strong a component of BLM. Fans were disappointed in Gomez’s lack of involvement in one movement and sudden vocalization of her views for another.

Selena has since turned off the comments on her Instagram posts, but has not responded to followers' comments and questions.

Although her post has received so many negative comments, it has garnered more attention for the movement—a benefit that can’t be overlooked.

Feature Image / Selena Gomez on Instagram

A quick Google search for the word “sorority” quickly reveals the stereotypical sorority girl as bubbly, outgoing, and a stellar conversationalist. It’s not surprising either since sororities are some of the largest social organizations on college campuses. But how do you fit in if you’re more introverted than this stereotype?

The most important thing is to understand this Google search for what it is: a stereotype. In reality, Greek women (a term referring to women in different sororities) come in all shapes, sizes, and personality types. 

Still, it can be tough to find your footing in a large social organization if your autopilot isn’t to constantly be around people. But, in every sorority, there are introverted women, meaning that you’re definitely not alone.

We looked at the highlights of sorority life and gathered some tips on how to navigate them when you’re not feeling quite as social. Here are our tips for thriving in a sorority as an introvert.

1. Focus on the big events

Being a part of a sorority means lots of events – whether they’re philanthropic, social, or a part of ritual. Whatever the event, it usually means a lot of interactions with people, which can be exhausting for introverts. Luckily, not every event in Greek life is mandatory, so introverts should focus on the big, important events and work their way up to attending the optional ones.

Lily Winters*, a junior at Boston University, says that she picks one big sisterhood event a month to attend.

“I try to pick one sisterhood event that excites me every month,” says Winters. “This way I don’t commit to everything, but I make myself go to something where I’ll see a lot of sisters.”

Some examples of these types of events are recruitment, bid day, Big/Little week, a philanthropy event, and certain sisterhood events. Going to these events is a great opportunity to meet your sisters and get more comfortable with the women in your sorority.

Related: 7 Tips Introverts Need to Know for Sorority Rush

In fact, this is one of the best ways to make friends within the chapter – and one of the surest ways to make any introvert comfortable in a group of people. Hailey Orgeron, a junior in Alpha Gamma Delta at the University of Hawaii, says that events played a major role in making her chapter feel a little smaller.

“During my first year in the sorority, I really wasn't that involved and the thought of going to sorority events would give me anxiety,” says Hailey. “…what made all the difference for me was finding those friends that make you feel undeniably comfortable and just overall happy.”

Once Hailey found her close friends, she says she didn’t mind being involved and constantly being around people.

2. Know your limits

That being said, there is such a thing as pushing yourself too much. Your introverted personality isn’t a flaw and taking some time for yourself can be a good thing. If you find yourself stressed out at an event, feel free to step away for a minute. Your sisters will totally understand!

Jane Brown*, a sophomore at Lehigh University, says that a little alone time can go a long way.

“Designate time out of your day to spend time alone, even if that means missing out on fun activities from time to time,” says Jane. If you're constantly spreading yourself thin, you won't feel like your best self anymore and it will start to negatively affect you.”

At the same time, make sure you balance the number of events that you go to. It can be tempting to sign up for everything that comes your way, even if you’re an introvert. Sororities have really fun events. But, knowing your limits is important too, and it’s okay to skip out on a social outing or two so that you can recharge.

3. Try a leadership position

If you’re keeping your limits in mind and you’re trying out the big events, it might also be a good idea to run for a leadership position. Sororities offer many chances for women to get involved in their executive or officer structures, and these opportunities are fantastic for adding experience to your resume, following a passion project, and pushing yourself to know your sisters even more.

For Hailey, a leadership position was exactly what she needed to gain the confidence to keep reaching out to people in her chapter.

“I am serving on the executive board as the VP of Marketing and I’ve never been happier,” she says. “And while I still have many of my introverted qualities, I have also become more extroverted.”

4. Lean on your sisters

Sometimes, despite all your efforts, it can still be frustrating to be an introvert in a sorority. During these times, it’s a great idea to lean on your sisters and tell them how you feel. Who knows? One of them might also be an introvert, and you just didn’t know it.

Try getting coffee with a sister you feel comfortable with, and let her know you’ve been having trouble getting involved or fitting in. While this normally happens within the first year of joining a chapter, many sorority women experience these feelings at every stage of their Greek years.

Maybe we’re all a little introverted on the inside, or maybe big organizations just amplify those feelings. Either way, your sisters want you to feel your best, no matter your personality type.

5. Plan a low-key event

If leaning on your sisters and going to only big events are still too much, planning a low-key get-together with a few sisters can help ease you into the swing of sorority life. Ashley Ferris, from Gamma Phi Beta at the University of Oregon, says that these events can be arranged around everyday activities.

“For a girl struggling to ‘fit in’ or put herself out there, I suggest that she create a study group with girls she shares the same classes or major within the sorority,” says Ashley. “Another way to get to know other members in the sorority is to reach out to others to attend certain on-campus or sorority events with.”

This is what Greek life is really about. Contrary to popular belief, sorority women don’t just party– they connect with one another and form meaningful relationships, even as introverts.

So, whether you’re fully introverted or just have some quieter tendencies, don’t worry about that stereotype. Every chapter woman feels a little uncomfortable at some point, and the same woman finds ways to make those introverted tendencies work for her. Go ahead and make Greek life yours – no matter your personality.

*Names have been changed.

Some Disney Channel stars go through a rebellious phrase when their days with the Mouse are over. Others struggle with the transition to a more mature career path, while the rare few – Hilary Duff, anyone? – smoothly adapt to new lives and broader career opportunities once they've retired their ability to make mouse ears with a fluorescent wand. But I can't think of any former Disney stars who have done this: former Shake It Up star Caroline Sunshine has joined the White House staff as a press assistant, CNN reports. 

Playing the eccentric European exchange student Tinka Hessenheffer, Sunshine appeared on the Disney Channel series for its entire run from 2010 to 2013. Since then, the now-22-year-old has apparently chased a career in politics and was recently a White House intern. So, while we've all been watching throwback videos of Disney Channel's glory days, Sunshine has seriously buckled down and achieved some great accomplishments. 

This internship has evidently kept her away from acting in the past few months. Sunshine hasn't posted on her Twitter account since September 2017, while her last post on Instagram was in January 2017. According to her IMDB page, she's been relatively distant from acting since Shake It Up wrapped, with only three acting credits listed since her Disney days. So, note for the future: when a Disney star goes off the radar, he or she is clearly planning out their path to politics. 

In a statement, White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said of Sunshine, "In college, she was involved with the American Enterprise Institute and an active member of her school's Model United Nations team. Prior to her internship at the White House, Caroline interned for the Office of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the College Republican National Committee and the California Republican Party."

It's definitely interesting to see a former Disney actor take such a different career path than her old co-stars have. Congrats to Sunshine on this opportunity! 

Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens called for a repeal of the Second Amendment in a New York Times op-ed on Tuesday, calling the amendment "a relic of the 18th century."The Huffington Post reports that Stevens was in support of young student protestors at this past weekend's March for Our Lives events, saying that the marchers "demand our respect."

"Rarely in my lifetime have I seen the type of civic engagement schoolchildren and their supporters demonstrated in Washington and other major cities throughout the country this past Saturday," Stevens wrote. "These demonstrations demand our respect. They reveal the broad public support for legislation to minimize the risk of mass killings of schoolchildren and others in our society. That support is a clear sign to lawmakers to enact legislation prohibiting civilian ownership of semiautomatic weapons, increasing the minimum age to buy a gun from 18 to 21 years old, and establishing more background checks on all purchasers of firearms...[the demonstrators] should demand a repeal of the Second Amendment."

97-year-old Stevens worked in the Supreme Court from 1975 to 2010, drawing attention for being a Republican who often made liberal decisions in his judicial rulings. CNN reports that, in Stevens' op-ed, he referenced his dissent in the 2008 case District of Columbia v. Heller, which ruled that the Second Amendment protects a person's right to keep a firearm for self-defense within his or her home. 

"That decision — which I remain convinced was wrong and certainly was debatable — has provided the (National Rifle Association) with a propaganda weapon of immense power," Stevens wrote. "Overturning that decision via a constitutional amendment to get rid of the Second Amendment would be simple and would be more to weaken the NRA's ability to stymie legislative debate and block constructive gun control legislation than any other available option."

Echoing many March for Our Lives protestors' messages, Stevens closed his op-ed by saying, "[Repealing the Second Amendment] would make our schoolchildren safer than they have been since 2008 and honor the memories of the many, indeed far too many, victims of recent gun violence."

Chipotle is my happy place, and I know I can't be the only one who takes delight in the seemingly endless bar of burrito, taco and salad options. Although the chain's past menu experiments have only proven that Chipotle should just stick to its burrito bowls, its next trial product may be groundbreaking. According to Delish, Frozen Paloma Margaritas are now at Chipotle's test kitchen in New York City, and I have my fingers crossed for its official debut on the Chipotle menu soon.

Appearing at Chipotle's NEXT Kitchen, the Frozen Paloma Margaritas reportedly consist of Sauza tequila, grapefruit juice, agave syrup and citrus juice. For now, the drink's test version is being sold in 14-ounce plastic cups for $6.20. Um, sign me up, please! 

As of now, select Chipotle locations already serve beer and regular margaritas, but with summer slowly and surely approaching, a frozen margarita sounds perfect for the restaurant to start serving. Apparently, the test kitchen is also trying out recipes with quinoa and nachos, which sounds great and all, but when can we get an update on these frozen margaritas? 

You began your job search completely hopeful and equally worried about what would come of it. After all, the job market is not the kindest to millennials. Nevertheless, you landed a few interviews and weeks later found yourself with more than one offer and a whole lot of stress. Knowing how to politely decline an offer can leave you with anxiety, especially if you’ve never experienced this situation before. But never fear, we’re here to help you craft a polite and gracious “no, thank you.”

Step 1: Take a breath

First and foremost, weigh all your options. The excitement of multiple job offers can lead to irrational decisions, which could ultimately lose you those offers. You don’t want to find yourself sending a “thanks, but something better came along,” email. Decide what job is best for you, and from there begin to craft your responses. Fine-tune what you want to say in a word document and then copy and paste that into the email thread.  

Step 2: Be gracious

Your job hunt wasn't only stressful for you! Employers had to put a lot of time and work into this process as well. More than likely, they spent hours scoping your social media profiles, checking with references and interviewing other candidates. Taking a few extra minutes to craft an honest and genuine thank you will go a long way. Be specific: if there was anything that stuck out to you in the interview process, compliment the employer! 

Step 3: Be honest

Inform the employer as to why you’re going in a different direction. Keep it brief, but provide your reasoning behind the decision. Explain that another job opportunity arose or you felt compelled to continue your job hunt. The employer was clearly invested in you and saw great potential, so leaving him or her completely clueless as to why you declined the offer is neither polite nor professional.

Step 4: Think about the future

No matter the job market you’re in, you will learn quickly just how small it is. Make sure you keep a positive relationship with all employers you interviewed with. Autumn Dube, a recent graduate of Emmanuel College, notes, “You never want to burn bridges because you never know what the future holds. I have had to decline great jobs before because I didn't think it was the right fit at the time or a better offer came along - and this is exactly what I told the employers. Honesty is important and admirable.” Stay professional and cordial and remember that not all jobs last forever, so you never know if you’ll be interviewing with that employer again.

Turning down any offer can be hard and stressful, but keep in mind it’s all a part of starting the job of your dreams. Good luck, collegiettes!

Name: Jordan-Elizabeth Long
Age: 28
Job Title and Description: Soloist Ballet Dancer at Miami City Ballet
College Name/Major: Liberty University/Business Administration with a minor in International Studies
Website: www.miamicityballet.org/portfolio/jordan-elizabeth-long 
Instagram Handle: @jordanandjane 

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day? 

JL: I have two types of days: rehearsal days and performance days. Rehearsal days start with a 90-minute company class (taught by our director or a ballet master) at 10 a.m., followed by three hours of rehearsal starting at 11:30 a.m. These rehearsals might include big groups, small groups, me with just my partner or even me alone. The three hours might be divided into one or two parts, or may even involve working for three hours straight on a full-length ballet. At 2:30 p.m., we have a one-hour lunch break during which I will attend a physical therapy session or head home to walk my dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Jane Austen. At 3:30 p.m. we have another three hours of rehearsal, finishing at 6:30 p.m. Once I’m done, I go home to work on my college coursework for the week.  

On performance days, we have a later class around 11 a.m. We usually have to rehearse the ballet for that evening on the stage after class. This might be because we're in a different theater from our last show (we perform in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Naples) or because we have a new cast of the ballet— most pieces have two or three casts of dancers. After a three-hour break, we perform at 8 p.m. Occasionally, instead of an afternoon stage rehearsal, we will have a matinee performance. 

What is the best part of your job?

JL: I enjoy all the aspects of my job. Some dancers say they only like performing, while others enjoy the studio work more. I can honestly say that I love the discipline of focusing in rehearsal and then the contrast of being onstage. 

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

JL: My first job was at the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, Netherlands. I got the job by dancing at a ballet festival in Miami where someone affiliated with the company saw me dance. He recommended me to the artistic director of the ballet company. I flew to Amsterdam to audition and was offered the job. 

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

JL: I spent several summers as a teenager studying with Suzanne Farrell. She always said, “There will always be someone who can do something better than you. Someone who can jump higher. Someone that can turn more than you. But there will never be another you. There will never be another person with your personality, your face, what you have to give to the art form. That is what you have to rely on.”

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

JL: My biggest mistake was being too hard on myself. I look back on my career so far and wish I had enjoyed what I was doing at that moment rather than being so focused on a slip or failed step. 

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far? 

JL: The most magical feeling was dancing on the stage of the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center during Miami City Ballet’s tour to New York City in spring 2016. I danced one of my favorite roles, the first movement principal in George Balanchine’s “Bourée Fantasque.” I remember looking out at the audience and seeing that beautiful theater and thinking how lucky I was to be there, dancing George Balanchine’s choreography no less. My favorite part was taking my curtain call in the front of the stage and picking out my father’s white hair in the audience. I caught my parents’ faces and suddenly, in my mind’s eye, saw my journey in ballet from the beginning up until that moment. It was the best feeling ever. 

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

JL: It has been said many times, but I’ll say it again: never give up. I’ve had times when I thought all of my doors were sealed shut and suddenly a window of opportunity appeared. Just when you think it’s time to throw in the towel, that’s usually when you will find the strength to continue on, in an even better way.

What's the one thing that's stood out to you the most in a resume?

JL: I believe that diverse experiences, through travel and education, help a resume stand out. Living outside the United States—even for a short amount of time—is an invaluable opportunity for any young adult. After living in Europe for five years, I was left with a different perspective. I would encourage all students to find a way to explore new places, cultures and languages.

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

Kim Jong Un Met the Chinese President in a Surprise Visit to Beijing

CNN reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a surprise visit to Beijing this week. The two-day visit marks Kim Jong Un's first trip abroad since he entered his position in 2011. While Kim traveled to China on March 25, the White House wasn't informed of the leader's meeting with Chinga until Tuesday. 

According to CNN, Kim went to China because he wanted to personally Xo Jinping of recent "diplomatic developments" in Korea. In a letter addressed to Xi that was published on North Korean state media, Kim asked for a "new era" between the two countries and invited Xi to visit North Korea in the future. 

The meeting with China comes soon after Kim Jong Un scheduled a meeting with President Donald Trump, marking the first visit between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader.

Larry Nassar's Longtime Boss at Michigan State University Was Arrested on Sexual Misconduct Charges

William Strampel, former dean of Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine and former USA Gymnastics coach Larry Nassar's boss, was arrested on sexual misconduct charges on Monday. The Huffington Post reports that an affidavit accused 70-year-old Strampel of using his office to "harass, discriminate, demean, sexually proposition and sexually assault female students." Four female MSU medical students have accused Strampel of this sexual misconduct.

Also included in the criminal complaint and warrant against Strampel were four criminal charges, including that of misconduct of a public official and fourth-degree criminal sexual misconduct. Charges against Strampel also included two counts of willful neglect of duty, relating to how Strampel allowed Nassar to keep working through the investigation of sexual abuse accusations against the disgraced doctor. Nassar, who sexually abused more than 160 athletes, worked under Strampel's supervision for almost 15 years. Strampel resigned from his position last year citing medical reasons, but mainly left his position due to negative responses to how he handled complaints about Nassar. 

This Dog Rescued a Drowning Man​ & I'm Crying

24-year-old Mason Ringer was riding in a boat with friends on South Carolina's Okatie River when the boat suddenly capsized, forcing the group to swim against the current to dry land. The Good News Network reports that Ringer's legs began to cramp up from spending so much time in the water, and his friends had already reached shore. A yellow Labrador, who belonged to the owner of the property on which Ringer works, spotted Ringer from a dock and jumped into the water to save him. 

"While I saw that the dog was coming in, I was skeptical thinking, 'I am going to drown this dog while he is trying to save me,' Ringer told Inside Edition. "It was almost effortless for him to pull me in."

BRB, training my dog to save strangers from now on. 

What to look out for...

Please tell me that children still enjoy the simplicity of being dragged around in a red wagon in the park or their backyards. National Little Red Wagon Day is today, celebrating the impact the wagon brand Radio Flyer has had on children's lives. My old red wagon may not be around anymore, but I'd love to see a little kid enjoying a wagon ride as the weather gets warmer. 

Amy Forsyth may be best known for her role as Ashley Fields in The Path on Hulu, but recently she's pursued a variety of new gigs, including Syfy’s Channel Zero, the upcoming independent film, Beautiful Boy, alongside the hilarious Steve Carell, and of course, NBC's latest series, Rise. With a background in dance and extensive experience in musical theater, she’s a regular renaissance woman at the age of 22. Forsyth opened up to Her Campus about the experience of acting in both television and film productions, what her dream role would look like and the multiple careers she’d have if she wasn’t an actress.

Her Campus: You spent nearly 10 years in musical theatre before transitioning to Hollywood, and your current role as Gwen Strickland on NBC’s new drama, Rise, allows you to return to your roots. Have you enjoyed this experience? Do you ever get a feeling of déjà vu?

Amy Forsyth: This experience has been incredible. Being back in the theatre immediately gave me chills and made me want to cry because I just wanted to go back and do it all again. Combing my love for TV and film with stage has been incredible, and it's also so rare. I feel so lucky, but I'm definitely having feelings of déjà vu. Everything came rushing back in the best possible way.

HC: You’ve starred in both television and film productions. Do you prefer one over the other? How do the experiences compare?

AF: They are drastically different. I don't know if I can pick one over the other. I think as an actor it's incredible to work on a film and have a tiny little bit more time to focus on—I don't know if I'm believing what I'm saying! I just love them both so much. They just differ greatly. With TV, you're sort of forced to go through everything so quickly, and there are studio notes and all of these things that you're focusing on. With film, there's that other challenge. I've done mainly independent film-making, and it's kind of similar to TV in the way that it's very fast, but at least you're sitting with one script. You're not getting a million different scripts for different episodes while you're shooting. But I don't think I can pick!

HC: If you could work alongside anyone in Hollywood, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?

AF: I feel like working with Paul Thomas Anderson would be pretty incredible. I guess kind of going hand in hand with that would be Daniel Day-Lewis. Why? Because who else? I think I'd be absolutely terrified.

HC: If you could play any character in a television series or movie, what would that character look like?

AF: I feel like at this point in my life because I'm young and look like the girl next door, I think it would be really fun to play a teenage single mom or an early 20s single mom like The Florida Project style. That would be an extremely challenging but very fulfilling.  

HC: When you have down time, how do you like to spend it? Do you have any shows you’re currently invested in?

AF: I will always and forever be invested in Law & Order, Forensic Files and Dateline, and anything related to crime. I spend all of my time doing puzzles and walking my dog. I will sit down, do a puzzle, have a Law & Order marathon on in the background and just cuddle with my dog.

HC: Can you elaborate on your work with organizations like Free The Children and Out of the Cold?

AF: That was something I did a lot in high school. One of my best friends spearheaded it, and we ran the Free the Children club at our school and helped raise money with a bunch of different fundraisers. With Out of the Cold, it was something I did with my mom back in Toronto. It gets so frigid in the winter, and it was such an incredible experience to get to know these human beings that are often just looked over. They would get them on a bus from Toronto and bring them closer to the suburbs. They would be at different churches. Every Tuesday  we would go spend time with them and play games, and make sure they were taken care of. We had doctors come in, we would make them lunch and dinner, and we would sit down with them and get to know them. It's truly incredible to spend time with these people who don't really get to express themselves to people because people don't value them as human beings. They're sort of just looked over, so it was a really special experience. I'd love to continue that at work as much as I can.

HC: What’s your dream college to attend? Why?

AF: To be honest, I've never really thought about American colleges because I'm Canadian. It's very challenging to get into an American school. I feel like going to Brown or something like that would be incredible.

HC: If you weren’t an actress, what career path would you have?

AF: I'm all over the map. I love interior design, but I also love nursing. I love psychology and criminal psychology. Maybe I'd be somewhere in the world of forensics. Maybe I'd be somewhere in a hospital. Maybe I'd be somewhere in a Home Depot shopping for a client.

Walmart announced the they will be removing Cosmopolitan from their checkout lines, and an anti-pornography organization claims it’s their doing, CNN reported.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, the anti-pornography group, had been in conversations with Walmart leading up to the decision. In their statement about the removal of the magazine, Walmart mentions “concerns raised” as a reason for pulling it from the shelves, said CNN. 

USA Today said that Walmart’s statement, released by spokesperson Meggan Kring, said “As with all products in our store, we continue to evaluate our assortment and make changes. Walmart will continue to offer Cosmopolitan to customers that wish to purchase the magazine, but it will no longer be located in the checkout aisles. While this was primarily a business decision, the concerns raised were heard.”

In response to Walmart’s statement, The National Center on Sexual Exploitation released their own. Haley Halverson, vice president of advice and outreach for The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, said ”You can go through and buy your groceries with your family knowing you don't have to be exposed to this graphic and often degrading and offensive material. Instead, all of these magazines will be moved, in isolation, to the magazine racks,” according to USA Today. 

NPR reported that The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has been trying to get Cosmo off of the shelves in stores for years because they believe that it is porn. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, formally known as Morality in Media, said in another statement that “Cosmo targets young girls by placing former Disney stars on its covers, despite the enclosed sexually erotic articles which describe risky sexual acts like public, intoxicated, or anal sex in detail. Customers should not be forced to be exposed to this content when they are trying to check-out at the store.” 

However, fans of the magazine and members of the media were quick to call-out the decision and the org's justification as willfully misunderstanding the momentum from #MeToo movement.

As Michelle Ruiz wrote for Vogue, "I’m embarrassed for Hawkins because she just broadcasted to the entire country that she is a woman who has no idea what #MeToo means. ICYMI: #MeToo is about unwantedsex and sexual attention, sexual assault, and harassment. While Cosmopolitan is a magazine and a brand best known for its sex tips (including my personal favorite, a suggestion to ring a donut on a guy’s penis)—it is all about consensualadult sex. Your sex life, your business, NCOSE, but in the pages of Cosmo and elsewhere in the real world, neither sexting nor BDSM are crimes among consenting adults. And in no way does the magazine market content about these topics to minors." 

(Photo Credit: Cover)

Isabelle Robinson, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and a survivor of the shooting in February, wrote an op-ed for the New York Times that fights back at the idea that school shootings could be avoided if students simply befriended the shooter. 

Robinson opens the New York Times opinion piece with an anecdotes about a time when Cruz threw an apple at her in the middle school cafeteria. She explains that when she turned around to see who had done this, Cruz’s “eyes were lit up with a sick, twisted joy as he watched me cry.”

Robinson also notes a time when she was assigned to tutor Cruz. In hindsight, she said, she realizes that the school left her with “a student who had a known history of rage and brutality.” She recounts how Cruz would curse at her and stare at her chest while she tried to help him. 

Time Magazine talked with Jeff Temple, a psychologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch, about reaching out to students who end up committing acts like school shootings.

Temple said that it’s important to reach out to lonely classmates, but “if we start identifying people as potential mass shooters, they’re going to feel even more marginalized, stigmatized, traumatized.” Temple also highlighted that it is not a student’s job to stop a school shooting.

Robinson highlighted the same point in her op-ed. She said that “students should not be expected to cure the ills of our genuinely troubled classmates, or even our friends, because we first and foremost go to school to learn.”

Robinson’s full op-ed gives an inside look at the trials and tribulations of being a teenage girl, the complexities of school shootings, and the dangers of the #WalkUpNotOut movement. It can be read in full on The New York Times website. 

(Photo Credit: Cover)