As journalists, we are taught to be impassive in our reporting, setting up a chain of events and introducing characters so that our readers may come to their own conclusions. For this issue, I challenged our writers to do the opposite: to reflect inward on the crucial role the word expression plays in the stories they tell and embrace the results. Expression is the backbone of storytelling, thriving where empathy and authenticity intersect. Our choices of expression are unwavering in their own right, creating controversy and pushing the boundaries of individuality wherever we can — whether we mean to or not.
In this issue, writers investigated expression in a variety of ways. Some explored cultural connections, like hair, food and dance. Others dug into more critical topics like mental health tribulations, the impacts of foreign conflict and analyzing the shifts in our online personas. One writer scrutinized the lesser-known relationship between two ASU powerhouses while another delved into the world of sla
