Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State, Author at Study Breaks

Season 4 of ‘Insecure’ Is an Emotional Rollercoaster

The fourth season of the HBO comedy-drama focuses on Issa and Molly’s friendship, as well as important issues like toxic masculinity and postpartum depression. Let’s discuss.…

June 6, 2020

Marjane Satrapi’s ‘Embroideries’ Shows Feminism Knows No Borders

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Even nearly 20 years later, this classic graphic novel from the author of 'Persepolis' stands up for women, not just in Iran, but worldwide.…

June 5, 2020

Netflix Is Bringing Back the Love Triangle in ‘Never Have I Ever’

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Who will Devi choose? The supportive Ben who happens to be in a relationship, or the available bad boy Paxton?…

May 16, 2020

Kim Kardashian, sometimes the subject of black outrage

How Outrage in the Black Community Was Turned Into a Commodity

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Celebrities like the Kardashians and companies like H&M are praised for the styles that black people are derided for, then profit off of the publicity caused by the anger.…

May 11, 2020

Is Netflix’s New Show ‘BlackAF’ Perpetuating Colorism?

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

With no dark-skin representation, the show is continuing the harmful idea that only light-skinned black people are worth casting.…

May 3, 2020

Playboy Says Goodbye to Print and Signals the End of an Era

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

The magazine has been a shadow of its former self for years. Will it be able to keep up in the online publishing world?…

May 2, 2020

Illustration of the flip challenge redefining masculinity

The Flip Challenge Exposed Hip-Hop’s Hypermasculine Culture

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Society is redefining what it means to be masculine and feminine. What does that mean for a culture rooted in gender roles?…

April 22, 2020

If You Haven’t Already, It’s Time to Watch ‘Big Little Lies’

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

The show delves into the traumatic effects of domestic abuse and sexual assault, along with many other relevant issues.…

April 14, 2020

‘Law and Order: SVU’ Shined a Light on the Injustices Strippers Face

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Pole dancing is becoming widely accepted for parties and fitness, but stripping remains vilified. So, what's the difference?…

April 12, 2020

The Reaction to Meghan Markle Exposes the Racism in the U.K.

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

It got so bad that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to leave their royal duties behind and move to another country.…

April 5, 2020

Why Are so Many College Students Becoming Sugar Babies?

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Sometimes financial aid and a regular job isn't enough to pay those college loans, but is it worth it?…

March 22, 2020

Trauma Porn: Why Books Like ‘American Dirt’ Are Harmful

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Despite its endorsement from Oprah, Jeanine Cummins' book about the life of a Mexican woman is having a damaging impact on minorities.…

March 16, 2020

Juice Wrld in an article about black mental health

We Need To Talk About Black Mental Health

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

While many communities are celebrating mental health awareness, it still faces a large stigma in the black community thanks to centuries of racism.…

March 8, 2020

Characters from "The Photograph" in a restaurant.

‘The Photograph’ Revamps Black Love for February

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Why is this romance so important? You won't see stereotypical tropes about black people here — just couples trying to navigate the tricky world of love.…

February 29, 2020

10 Black YouTubers To Check Out for Black History Month

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

You won't see too many black creators advertised on the video-sharing site, so here's something to help get you started.…

February 24, 2020

Harley Quinn, one of many women in comics, holding a bat.

Harley Quinn and Black Widow Lead the Revolution of Women in Comics

Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State

Violent, dark and gritty. Here's why these superheroines deserve as much recognition as their idealized counterparts, like Wonder Woman.…

February 16, 2020

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Alyssa Alexander, SUNY Buffalo State