USC campus struggles with incomplete speech


With the return of college rankings and prospective student tours flooding campus, it’s officially the season for college applications. While many students hone in on academics, social life and career opportunities when considering where to pursue their higher education, campus dialogue and activism have become significant selling points to high school seniors, who are coming […]

Millennials must have standards for candidates


Last week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that he was absolutely, unequivocally not running for president. And for the sake of this country, I sincerely hope he’s telling the truth. Aside from the general distaste of all things Silicon Valley left over from my few years living in the East Bay, what concerns me most […]

For the oppressed, the personal is the political


This week, Senate Republicans breathed new life into what seemed like a lost battle since the end of summer: the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Without the ACA and its protections for those with preexisting conditions, millions of disabled, elderly, sick and low-income Americans would lose insurance and, according to some estimates, thousands could […]

Emmys show that good TV isn’t escapism


Last Sunday’s Emmy Awards witnessed a multitude of progressive achievements. In a year where television leaned more toward sociopolitical commentary than escapism from sociopolitical issues, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized Lena Waithe, Riz Ahmed and Donald Glover as firsts in their respective categories. Waithe, recognized for Writing for a Comedy Series, was […]

College cis-women must support trans rights


Last week, Spelman College, a historically black women’s college in Atlanta, announced that it would accept trans students applying for the upcoming school year. The decision drew relatively minimal coverage in mainstream media, but follows a contentious year of law and policy conflicts involving trans people. Particularly in states like North Carolina and Texas, rhetoric […]

In times of crisis, do not forget U.S. territories


As Hurricane Irma swept into Florida last weekend, all eyes were on Miami and Tampa and other well-populated cities in the state where yet another natural disaster threatened immense destruction mere weeks after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. Behind Irma, however, the damage was already done: on the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several other Caribbean nations […]

On campus, racism exists on a spectrum


“Can anyone think of an application of cultural psychology in examining the results of an individual’s Brief Sensation-Seeking Scale score?” My psychology professor admirably maintained a high level of energy as she projected her question, despite seeing the tired faces of the 200+ students barely keeping awake as the lecture period neared its end. Despite […]