By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| March is Women's History Month. It is the month in which we honor all the humanitarian and memorable women who have made a difference and fought for equal rights. Notable women who are often mentioned are Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, but all women are celebrated during this month. More specifically, March 8 is the globally recognized "International Women's Day." "International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for celebrating accelerating gender parity," as stated on the website InternationalWomensDay.com. The … [Read more...] about Womens History Month
Erendy Torres
The cost of keeping up
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| "We buy things we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like," is a famous quote from the movie Fight Club. We live in a generation in which we spend more money than what we make. On Feb. 13, rapper Kanye West tweeted that he is $53 million in personal debt. "I write this to you my brothers while still 53 million dollars in personal debt... Please pray we overcome... This is my true heart..." tweeted West. West is facing a multi-million-dollar debt, yet he is still not humbling down his expenses. West and his wife Kim Kardashian, are installing a lake-sized pool in their $20 million mansion's backyard in Bel-Air, … [Read more...] about The cost of keeping up
Racial Ambiguity
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| Have you ever been asked, "What are you?" Have you ever wondered about someone's mysterious ethnic background? There are times we cannot pinpoint someone's race by their physical appearance. We call this "racial ambiguity." "Someone that is racially ambiguous does not possess the stereotypical physical attributes of his or her supposed racial category. It is the physical features that one notices first about another individual when trying to determine that person’s racial identity," as defined by Cindy Veronica Vargas in the study, "What Are You? A Study Of Racial Ambiguity." "Skin color, hair texture, facial features are racial markers that … [Read more...] about Racial Ambiguity
Donald Trump no different than Hitler
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| "Make America great again," is the slogan Donald Trump is utilizing in his presidency campaign. Interestingly enough, Adolf Hitler's slogan was "Make Germany great." What does Trump mean by, "Make America great again"? Does this mean taking away peoples' lands and forcing them to move to a segregated area? Or does this mean putting the country through an economic slump for an entire decade? America was not "great" when these events took place, just as Germany was not "great" during Hitler's sovereignty. "Whatever time era you point out in our country’s almost 300-year history was emblazoned with propaganda," stated Liana Maitland in the … [Read more...] about Donald Trump no different than Hitler
Valentine’s Day survival guide
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| Valentines Day is right around the corner and do you know what that means? Bingo—you guessed it: first dates, roses, chocolates, teddy bears, and potential new relationships. Ahhh, the romanticism. Or it can be completely opposite: single, stuffing your face with chocolate ice cream, watching reruns of "Friends," and wiping your runny nose on your cat. Though the second scenario sounds quite tempting, you will not spend Valentine's Day alone. The ratio of single men in their 20's to single women in their 20's is 1.2 to 1 according to the website Statistic Brain Research Institute. You will not be part of either of those ratios. Having a … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day survival guide
Ghetto-ization of word “Ghetto”
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| Ghetto. The multipurpose word utilized to describe a variety of settings, characters, and actions. However, it has not always been "multi-meaningful." The term "ghetto" originated during the Holocaust era in the 1930s, used to describe a segregated area in a city. "A section of a city, especially a thickly populated slum area, inhabited predominantly by members of an ethnic or other minority group, often as a result of social or economic restrictions, pressures, or hardships," as defined by dictionary.com. Ghettos were a mix of organized insanity and brutality built to separate Jews from the rest of Europe. The history behind the word … [Read more...] about Ghetto-ization of word “Ghetto”
Veganism on a set of scales: Cows will thank you, so will your body
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| Losing weight, exercising, and opting for a healthier diet continue to be popular goals among most Americans with every New Year. Veganism was once the target for jokes and mockery; however, it has gained popularity in the past few years. Vegans made up six percent of the United States' population in 2015, according to FoodNavigator.com. Veganism is as "a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose," according to TheVeganSociety.com. Veganism is not to be confused with vegetarianism. Though both diets exclude the … [Read more...] about Veganism on a set of scales: Cows will thank you, so will your body
Beauty is about wealth and status—not appearance
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| Beauty most often is not measured by physical appearances, but measured by status and wealth. A woman’s beauty is measured by the amount of Photoshop edits, makeup, and wealth she portrays on her published social media pictures. Heavily contoured and highlighted faces, bodysuits, long and voluptuous eyelashes, 22-inch hair extensions, tiny-teeny waists manufactured by waist-trainers, and wide hips are what makes women beautiful nowadays... apparently. Oh, and don’t leave home without your Michael Kors rose gold watch, Cartier bracelet, Louis Vuitton stilettos, and Chanel purse before driving off in your matte grey G-Class … [Read more...] about Beauty is about wealth and status—not appearance
Women should not be characterized by their sexual activities
By Erendy Torres |Staff Writer| If you have a vagina and are no longer a virgin, chances are you have been considered a slut at least once in your lifetime. Actually, you don't necessarily even have to be deflowered to be considered a slut. If you have a vagina, you still qualify. "It seems the word slut can be applied to any activity that doesn't include knitting, praying, or sitting perfectly still lest any sudden movements be deemed whorish," stated Jessica Valenti in the article, "He's a Stud, She's a Slut: The Sexual Double Standard" Women should not be viewed as slutty or whoreish if they decide to maintain an active sex life with multiple men throughout their life. If most … [Read more...] about Women should not be characterized by their sexual activities
Being oneself is never easy
By Erendy Torres | Staff Writer | I am tired of hearing “be yourself, be authentic.” It is such a fake statement. Although most people say that being original is the best thing you can do for yourself in order to live a free and peaceful life, they don’t really mean it. Being different is actually frowned upon. Being unique doesn’t make you authentic. It can make you seem as an outcast and a freak in the eyes of society. However, to deny and conceal our uniqueness is an offense and betrayal to ourselves. Society has created an image of what “normality” should look and be like: casual attire, polished hair, and proper behavior. Although this “requirement” seems to be the … [Read more...] about Being oneself is never easy