Whenever someone asks me about Odyssey, I like to describe it as a conversation. Yes, it's a platform for millennial voices to be heard, but those voices are more than just opinions being blurted out at random. They are engaged in an open dialogue, constantly playing off of the articles of other contributors, feeding off the energy and ideas that circulate in our Odyssey community. Our incredible writing staff open up about their personal experiences in the hopes to reach someone who may need those words, they discuss significant ideas about our world and society. By writing for us, they say, "This is who I am, and this is what matters to me". Writing these articles every week may be strenuous at times, but to be apart of such a progressive open community is entirely worth it.
Just this week, I've been afforded the great chance to step up as a Contributing Editor for the St. Edward's Odyssey community. This means I'll be doing a little less writing and a lot more editing. I'm beyond excited because these Creators' voices resonate with passion, insight, and eloquence, and of course, that all exudes from their writing.
So, in honor of this new opportunity, I wanted to take a minute to give a spotlight to some of their wonderful work because frankly, it deserves to be read again and again. If you read nothing else, read these, some of my favorites of the St. Edward's Odyssey.
1. The Impact of Self-Deprecation by Elizabeth Ucles
Writer Elizabeth Ucles opens up about her experience with self deprecation, really giving a piece of herself to the reader. In sharing her personal battle with self doubt and how she has fought to overcome it, she calls upon her readers to see more in themselves.
2. I Am An Immigrant by Carolina Avila
There's no writing that can quite compare to that of someone proud of their culture, and this next writer is all of that and more. Carolina Avila discusses what her Mexican-Guatemalan heritage means to her identity and how it's such an emboldening part of who she is.
3. Reevaluating A Changing Friendship by Jess Arrazolo
Our community's kick-ass Editor in Chief, Jess Arrazolo has a real heart-to-heart about the evolution of friendships and accepting that inevitable change is integral to our own growth.
4. I Will Never Be OK With Society's Ideals by Sophie Velasquez
In this article, Sophie Velasquez recounts what it meant to see the effects of society's body ideals taking their toll on her own little sister. The love she reveres her sister with is the same love she hopes all women can find for themselves and their bodies.
5. My Sentiments To The Community by Stephen McCray
In regards to the recent police brutality events, Stephen McCray gives thoughtful insight on his own experience with racism in his unique situation, being raised in a mixed family.
6. I'll Take Your Man Card by Aaron Kennard
Aaron Kennard often takes on the societal norms we define as "masculinity" in his articles, and he continually does it amazing justice. He defines toxic masculinity and the very real, very horrible consequences of it in our society.
Oh, are you still reading this? Have you really not clicked any of the links above yet? Well, don't let these last few sentences stop you from indulging in those tantalizing links above-- read on!
