MJ Kaufman’s ‘Masculinity Max’ utilizes archetypes of manhood as stock characters in which the show’s titular role must interact with to construct his own definition of “man”; as a recently out trans man, Max must look to the men around him for support and guidance, instead finding himself in a position of great change (not always positive) and self reflection, begging the question - what makes a man?

Chauncey Miles is a burlesque performer, gay, and… a Republican? The Nance, by Douglas Carter Beane, is a depiction of the morally complicated Chauncey Miles - a Depression era burlesque performer who’s onstage persona is the effeminate gay man for which the show is named. A further exploration into his background, his struggle, and the conditions of his existence shed some light onto this otherwise contradictory character.

Through the specific focus of hair styles and head coverings, a link between a history of culture and a history of colonization is used to advocate against cultural appropriation; a dissection of music videos and popular influencers is utilized to further demonstrate the problem of adopting (and praising) black culture on white bodies. There is a suggestion that reworking cultural attitudes and perspectives may be more powerful to shaping politics than we think.

An exploration of the history of American immigration legislation paints a picture of a country dictated by white supremacist ideology. Looking at landmark decisions and attempted policies from both the 19th and 21st centuries, one can draw the links between America’s delineations of “acceptable” immigration and desire to uphold whiteness; this argument extends to the cultural expectation of assimilation and erasure for those who “successfully” come to this country.

The ongoing debate over firearms and gun control continues to heat up as America faces a growing number of casualties as a result of mass shootings. Most stances, especially those on an anti-control side, center the rights of possession and the owner; instead, centering the lives of those who could be rendered helpless at the pull of a trigger, and the survivors and families of victims, can radically change our approach to gun policies. By recontextualizing the history behind the second amendment, while also highlighting the drastic changes in firearms over the last three centuries, the importance of advocating for gun legislation is crucial.

Written as final “manifesto,” Love Declarations is part love letter, part how-to, and part stream of consciousness thinking about love and relationships; utilizing bell hooks’ ‘All About Love’ along with other academic resources, this work is both in response to a semester of relearning how to love and a guide to the future of navigating relationships.