A variety of student organizations exist on campus to raise awareness for social issues and participate in activism. The Siren, a student-produced feminist magazine, provides a resource for students to not only discover more about feminist issues, but offers a chance for students to make their voices heard through the written word.
On Tuesday, The Siren celebrated the release of their spring issue, the fourth since relaunching the magazine in fall 2013. In the Sonja Haynes Stone Center, students gathered to enjoy the new issue, socialize and enjoy performances from select poets and the co-ed a cappella group Harmonyx. Two keynote student speakers were invited to present at the launch: seniors Omolulu Babatunde and Dylan Su-Chun Mott.
At previous launch events, speakers had been staff members of the magazine as well as their faculty advisor, Barbara Friedman.
“We’re excited for student activists to be speaking this year,” said Wilson Hood, managing editor of The Siren.
Each semester, The Siren chooses a theme to focus on and opens submissions to students and organizations on campus. Spring semester’s theme is “(re)vision (re)fine (re)connect”.
“This issue has pieces that recontextualize our relationship with UNC," said co-editor Amanda Kubic. "The whitewashed history is not representative of a lot of the voices on this campus. The Siren gives a space to people that have been oppressed by this power structure, and asks how they would envision a safer Carolina.”
The student speakers spoke on the issues raised in the newest magazine.
“The submissions we received are incredible," said Callie Wallace, the magazine’s external director of feminist community building. "They articulate what students of marginalized identities want and need from this community to feel included and safe.”
Stories range in focus from the Real Silent Sam debate to the controversies involving the Muslim Student Alliance on campus. While these topics seem heavy, Hood emphasizes the good the spring issue has to offer.
