Regulating Votes and Stifling Democracy
Back in the 1980s, our current attorney general, Jeff Sessions, called the Voting Rights Act a “piece of intrusive legislation.” The British Conservatives argue that regulating elections more tightly enhances democracy. Under a guise of promoting free and fair elections, actions like these are restricting …
Localizing Global Initiatives
One-third of the food produced worldwide is either lost or wasted according to the United Nations. Yet to meet food demand levels by 2050 based on current trends, global agricultural production will have to increase by 60 percent, relative to 2005 rates. “Certainly, changing climates…
Across the World, Across the Classroom
Delegates from Asia passionately debated China’s territorial claim of the South China Sea in Engineering Classroom 192. Next door, the General Assembly drafted a resolution on drone warfare. Across in Baskin Classroom 169, 12 figures from American history held a Crisis Committee planning session for…
Discussing the French Elections
French voters took to the polls on April 23 for the first of two rounds of voting for the presidential election. Voters chose from a list including far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Socialist Party candidate Benoît Hamon, Republican candidate François Fillon, independent centrist Emmanuel Macron and…
Protecting Liberty and Justice for All
When President Donald Trump first announced the now-halted travel ban on seven Muslim-majority states and an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees, the popularity of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) skyrocketed to new heights. Despite usually raising about $3.5 million in a year, the ACLU…
Protesting U.S. Intervention in Syria
“U.S. out of the Middle East, we demand justice, we demand peace,” shouted a circle of about 35 students and community members in the UC Santa Cruz Quarry Plaza on April 12. Demonstrators protested the recent U.S. military airstrike when 59 Tomahawk missiles were fired…
Exploring Gender Identity Through Traditional Asian Theater
Drama, Masks & Gender Fluidity “He or she — love is love,” said Panji, a colorfully clad character played by Naomi Grunst, surrounded by a group of actors in striking and bright Indonesian-style costumes. The performance of “Panji-Candra Kirana” was one of three plays in…
More Than a March
Signs waved in the air, bearing messages in protest of President Donald Trump’s administration and support of women’s rights. Protesters marched down Pacific Avenue on March 8, reminiscent of the scenes in downtown Santa Cruz after the inauguration in January. But this time, the fuchsia…
Theresa the Appeaser’s New Friend
In June 2016 Britain voted to leave the European Union, something I regarded to be a political disaster. I then came to the U.S. just in time for another. I have British and American citizenship, which means Theresa May of the Conservative Party is my…
Activism Under a New Administration
Professor Emerita Angela Davis, CNN political commentator Van Jones and social activist and co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter Alicia Garza are a few of the past speakers whose pictures were projected on stage at the UC Santa Cruz Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. Benjamin Jealous, former CEO…