Editors’ Letter

Dear UA Readers,

This month’s theme is entirely inspired by David Bowie’s “Changes”, most importantly the line “turn and face the strange.” If you haven’t heard it, go give it a listen (the whole album is one of my all time favorites). January is often seen as a time of change and new beginnings. While that is all well and good, we wanted to take a different perspective this year. The truth is that January can be scary. We’re recovering from the holidays, going back to school, and everything feels a little chaotic. We’re four days into the new year and wildfires are raging in Australia and war has broken out in Iran. To put it simply, everything feels strange. 

“Changes” is also a song that perfectly depicts youth. Things are changing, we are growing at a rapid pace, yet it also feels like everything is staying the same. Bowie puts it beautifully when he says: “And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations. They’re quite aware of what they’re going through.” As we face this strange, we are fighting for our future, defining our generation, and defying all expectations that older generations hold for us. 

Ultimately, everyone is facing their own strange. Change is different for everybody. Whatever your strange may be, I encourage you to embrace it with open arms, and of course, share it with us. 

In the wise words of Bowie: “just remember lovers never lose.”  

Happy new year, 

Katherine, Editor