In 2015, the Charleston church shooting was a hate crime against the black community that killed nine people. Just two years later, in 2016, the Pulse nightclub shooting, a hate crime against the LGBTQ+ community, killed 49 people. To this day, racism and homophobia are two issues that are still very much alive and more common than we think. On Jan 29, news broke that Empire actor, Jussie Smollett, was the victim of a heinous, homophobic and racially motivated hate crime. With a noose around his neck and bleach poured on his skin, Smollett claimed to be beaten and called slurs. The details of the crime were so dark and disturbing that it seemed like everyone was showing their love … [Read more...] about The Real Victims of the Jussie Smollett Hoax
Instagram Fame: Behind the Posts
Millions of us wake up every day, grab our phone and check Instagram. We scroll, like posts, follow someone here and there and go about our day. But how would our relationship with Instagram be if we had 61,000 people watching our every post? Is social media fame as glamorous as it looks? This is what 19-year-old Valentina Carrick deals with. Carrick (@chovvder) arose to Instagram fame two years ago, and now has over 61,000 followers on the platform. https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFgN8mA1kl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Being a social media influencer is something many people strive to be, but for Carrick it came out of nowhere. “It’s been about two years when I would refresh my … [Read more...] about Instagram Fame: Behind the Posts
Why Do Students Take Adderall?
College students are known for pulling all-nighters, cramming for tests, and working on multiple assignments at once. Coffee and energy drinks are what people assume most students are using. Now, students are learning how to complete their work with the help of a different substance - Adderall. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Adderall is the second most common drug abused on college campuses. Oscar Hernandez has always had issues procrastinating and had trouble focusing on his school work. In the efforts to get things done, he decided to try Adderall. “I had a big paper due and it’s really easy for me to get distracted,” Hernandez said. “My … [Read more...] about Why Do Students Take Adderall?
A Look at CSUSB’s Four-Year Graduation Rate
CSUSB's four-year graduation rates have become shockingly low. It is now more common for students to get their bachelor’s degrees in six years. In 2017, the four-year graduation rate was at 14 percent and the six-year graduation rate was at 54 percent. Graduating in four years is every student's goal. Why is it that students are having trouble finishing in four years? Jasmine Jimenez planned on graduating college in four years when she was admitted to CSUSB, but time management got the best of her. "I was so bad at handling my time," said Jimenez. "I spent too much time invested in my social life that I fell behind with my classes." Entering her fifth year, Jimenez decided … [Read more...] about A Look at CSUSB’s Four-Year Graduation Rate
Gillette Commercial Proves Toxic Masculinity is Still Alive
"We can't hide from it. It's been going on for far too long. We can't laugh it off, making the same old excuses, 'boys will be boys'." – Gillette The first time I was ever catcalled was in seventh grade. I was a 13-year-old girl being harassed by a grown man. To say I was terrified is an understatement. Seeing a man at least 20 years older than me trying to hit on me was a shock to my system. From then on I have been catcalled more times than I can count and even followed home by men before. The problem is that this behavior is so normalized that I started to not even think twice when someone would whistle or yell at me. As I got into college, I have met multiple women who have … [Read more...] about Gillette Commercial Proves Toxic Masculinity is Still Alive
Women’s March Through My Eyes
Bright and early on Jan.19, I joined 200,000 people in Los Angeles to participate in the third annual Women's March. Crowds of people took over the streets to chant, sing and show their solidarity with one another. As a self-proclaimed feminist, when the Women’s March was first introduced, I was ecstatic to attend. Now, it is something my friends and I anticipate going to every January. As someone who’s been to the march for all three years, I can definitely say this year was very different. The first two marches had a theme. In 2017, fresh off of Trump’s inauguration, most signs, chants, and speeches given were in reaction to the new presidency, while the 2018 march was heavily … [Read more...] about Women’s March Through My Eyes
San Bernardino National Forest Suffers due to Government Shutdown
The current government shutdown is impacting many people and places, and San Bernardino County is not exempt from this. What is getting overlooked is the treatment of the San Bernardino National Forest. With federal workers on furlough, impacts of the shutdown have begun to affect National Park services. Many parks and forests have remained open but are under little to no supervision. On top of this, resources that are usually provided at these locations have been discontinued for the time being. A string of new vandalism incidents is being reported following the incident where off-roaders destroyed Joshua trees to make a roadway for their vehicles at Joshua Tree National Park. … [Read more...] about San Bernardino National Forest Suffers due to Government Shutdown