Column

Musicians now play the role that jesters once played in Shakespearean plays     By VIOLET ZANZOT— vmzanzot@ucdavis.edu   I am proud to announce that I was the kid in high school who didn’t mind, and honestly kind of loved, reading plays. I’ve decided that owning this truth is half the battle of rebranding the enjoyment […]

Bootcut jeans are a bold choice, eh?   By NEVAEH KARRAKER— nakarraker@ucdavis.edu   The ignition of a revolution is near: There’s a demand for justice and a cry for change, and Kendrick Lamar holds the power of unity within his grasp. His artistry is more than just songs — it’s a reflection of the complexities […]

Why do advertisements feel so surreal?    By CALEB SILVER —chsilver@ucdavis.edu    Ryan Reynolds, actor and billionaire, has appeared on my screen a lot lately — and it isn’t because I’ve been watching any of the films he takes part in. Reynolds owns a large chunk of Aviation American Gin, which runs ads featuring him […]

Commanding a laugh: cue or crutch?   By Abhinaya Kasagani— akasagani@ucdavis.edu   The laugh track sits itself down beside you on the couch, right as you are in the middle of shoveling popcorn into your mouth. You want the laugh track to be like watching television with you. You want the laugh track to like […]

Contract grading can become a tiresome statutory obligation   By Abhinaya Kasagani — akasagani@ucdavis.edu   “On a grading scale of one (below expectations) to three (exceeds expectations), give yourself any grade you wish to have and we will expect that you uphold this promise. We might check in once throughout the quarter, but otherwise have […]

How dangerous political rhetoric works to normalize the mass deportation of undocumented Latino immigrants   By TARA ROMERO— tcrome@ucdavis.edu   “Illegal aliens.” It’s a phrase that already feels like Propaganda 101, and yet it’s plastered across news outlets and feeds throughout the country. With President Donald Trump’s return to office, dehumanizing rhetoric has circulated in […]

Limiting your time on social media can open up a world of self-discovery and connection   By JHANA RHODES — jsrho@ucdavis.edu             I chose to disappear in an era where social media is equated with connection, relevance and visibility. Gone with the likes and comments, I deleted all of my social media accounts in a […]

Bad Bunny initiates a dynamic conversation around the issues affecting Puerto Rico   By SABRINA FIGUEROA — sfigueroaavila@ucdavis.edu On Jan. 5, Bad Bunny released his sixth studio album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.” While he sings about love and heartbreak in some songs, the album is ultimately a love letter to Puerto Rico: the land, the […]

Exploring the importance of sports in community building    By VIOLET ZANZOT— vmzanzot@ucdavis.edu   The Philadelphia Eagles — my team — are the 2025 Super Bowl champions. Of course, when I say “my team” I mean that it is their wins I celebrate and their losses I mourn. I share this team with millions of […]

Thank you to my dance teachers    By MOLLY THOMPSON – mmtthompson@ucdavis.edu    It’s no secret that our childhood experiences shape who we become as adults. The way we were raised, where we grew up, the friends we had, our elementary education and so many other factors cumulate to create who we are now. Perhaps […]

The looming rise of greenwashing and how to recognize it   By ELLIE NOH — eenoh@ucdavis.edu   Many individuals, especially in companies, recognize the detrimental impacts of climate change caused by human activities. While some organizations have corporate goals to improve sustainability in production and distribution, others might not truly be using environmentally friendly practices […]

Being the perfect person isn’t a prerequisite for finding love and connection   By JHANA RHODES—jsrho@ucdavis.edu             Valentine’s Day comes around yearly, reminding me that I am still single. And, recently, I’ve been the only single person among my friends. Don’t get me wrong: I am ecstatic that they have all found people who can […]