Column

Seventy years of atheistic rule later, God finds its way into the Russian constitution Following decades of atheism in the Soviet Union, the resurgence of the Russian Orthodox Church signals a new nation. Today, television stations broadcast live sermons, citizens line up for holy water and Christmas trees light up Moscow’s Darwin museum. President Vladimir […]

Creative liberties should persist outside of age, gender I used to roll my eyes as a kid when my parents sat me down in front of their desktops to listen to a musician from their generation. As children, we can find it difficult to understand the magnitude of these artists’ influence in the world. Our […]

We could all use a good cry From a very young age, I’ve had a strong distaste for sad movies. I distinctly remember watching my mom and sister cry during classic sad movies and wondering why they enjoyed them so much. I, on the other hand, only watched “Marley & Me” once in my childhood […]

Social distancing measures, economic shutdown hurting an already struggling industry Before the prevalence of online shopping, department stores were a staple of American consumerism. But recent trends in the retail industry prove that the popularity and presence of today’s department stores are a thing of the past. The economic shutdown due to COVID-19 has put […]

The current pandemic is revealing critical flaws in the American electoral system Howie Hawkins. Jacob Hornberger. Don Blankenship. Yes, these are real names. But do you know who they are? They are the current leading nominees for the respective Green, Libertarian and Constitution parties.  If you’re a political junkie, you are probably familiar with Blankenship. […]

A genre of the past doesn’t have to be dated  What do we think of when we hear the term “classical music?” For many, the term evokes images of powdered wigs and sparkling grand pianos. The senses recall scenes of sterile concert halls and the potential energy that radiates off the stage just before the […]

Where voter apathy is the strongest candidate On March 18, 2018, Vladimir Putin –– Russia’s longest-serving ruler since Joseph Stalin –– won his fourth term as president in a landslide victory. A record 56.2 million Russians cast their ballots, giving Putin more than 76% of the vote.  Although his victory came as no surprise, following […]

It’s more than just a face mask  Ever since “Self Care Sunday” became a trend, stores like Sephora have flourished with girls spending a fortune on face masks and bath bombs. I’m a fan of a good clay mask and a colorful bath. I’m not, however, a fan of dedicating just one day to self-care. […]

Celebrity and luxury fashion doesn’t dictate style culture, at least not alone  I am not someone who keeps up with fashion trends, but fashion itself still plays an important role in my life. It’s one of many physical manifestations of society and culture, and for many of us, it’s an outward expression of self. Since […]

Universities and prospective students alike must prepare for an uncertain future If you’re a UC Davis student, odds are you’re reading this at home. The current COVID-19 crisis has led to the cancellation of in-person lectures across the nation. From Berkeley to Ann Arbor to Ithaca, university campuses and the college towns dependent on them […]

Despite being Russia’s capital city, Moscow’s underground liberalism misaligns with country’s political ideologies To President Vladimir Putin, the “liberal idea” is now obsolete. Coming from the president of Russia, this statement doesn’t surprise me. While liberalism refers to many things, including economic, political and social liberalism, Putin seems to be most concerned with the latter. […]

I’m talking to you, Drake.  TikTok has become an unfortunate constant in my life.  In the time of coronavirus, I find that my lectures are punctuated by a scroll through the hilarious video-sharing app as a sort of cleanser.  TikTok is an important tool in music because its trends, like dances and lip syncs, are […]