Column

Embattled agriculture industry generates 80 percent of food sales, yet is spurned In a world where the global population is rapidly growing, humanity needs to start having a serious conversation about where its food comes from. It’s no longer a battle of organic and non-GMO producers versus conventional producers — it’s a matter of necessity. […]

Stereotypical depictions of Native Americans perpetuate historic mistreatment Right around this time of year, elementary school students craft paper hats complete with colored feathers and buckles, trace hand-shaped turkeys and don’t learn about the truth behind Thanksgiving. This past Thursday, families across America prepared turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and still didn’t learn about Thanksgiving. […]

The successes and failures of a revolutionary 1950’s sitcom I Love Lucy, a TV show from the 1950’s, is often regarded as the show that changed sitcoms forever. I was not aware of this, or any of the thematic and topical issues at play in I Love Lucy, when my family and I watched episode […]

The importance of Obama’s humanity moving into a Trump administration I sobbed for a good half-hour on election day. Partly because Donald Trump had just become the President-elect for our nation, but mostly because it finally hit me that President Barack Obama wouldn’t be leading our nation anymore. Not only are we seeing the exit […]

The amount of misinformation surrounding the livestock industry amounts to propaganda Did you know that agriculture has a bigger economic share in California than Hollywood does? According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), California agriculture is a $42.6 billion industry generating $100 billion in economic revenue. Animal agriculture, encompassing dairy production and […]

What do we make of comics struggling with mental illness? When Robin Williams passed in 2014, it felt like the whole world was in mourning. Williams was perhaps the most beloved comic force of our era, and his passing was riddled with questions, shock and confusion. How can someone who everyone loves kill themselves? Why […]

Consumer protection laws will be vitally important in solving the gun epidemic The beginning of a recent Inside Amy Schumer skit introduces the “OrthoEsterin,” a new, low-dose birth control pill. “Ask your doctor if birth control is right for you,” the ad continues. “Then, ask your boss if birth control is right for you. Ask […]

I was in class in Australia as the final results for the U.S. presidential election were becoming clearer. Those few hours will be burned into my memory forever. I felt extreme despair and sorrow and frustration and was left speechless as I watched the electoral college numbers accumulate under Trump’s name. After I saw the […]

Mike Birbiglia shows how comedy can transcend the disconnect between performer, audience In a 2013 Netflix comedy special, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Mike Birbiglia tells a story. The special takes place in a big, open performance hall, with a long, wide stage elevated from the ground. The audience sits around the stage, which holds a single […]

Students, tourists need to respect their host countries There’s a saying that I heard once that said “beauty is never tarnished.” Well, I hate to break it to whoever said that, but I doubt that they have ever lived in a place that has seen its natural beauty destroyed at an alarming rate. To be […]

Diverse directors will increase diversity in roles, characters on screen Just how white is the film and television industry? You don’t have to answer that. It’s become obvious in recent years just how pervasive lack of diversity is in entertainment. It seems to be the only unwavering aspect of Hollywood’s constantly changing trends (fashion, actor […]

Collaborations between designers, scientists are important for advancements in both fields As someone who stapled the bottoms of her flats everyday for nearly three months before finally buying a new pair, I might not seem like the most credible fashion source. But perhaps it’s my lack of professional expertise that makes fashion all the more […]