We’re Exhausted. But There’s a Way Through
The digital news cycle never sleeps, but sometimes I wish it would take a nap. Every morning, I wake up to an inbox bursting at the seams. Newsletters, public announcements, breaking news — the whole lot. The more time I spend scrolling through jaw-dropping headlines,...
Sabores Familiares de Santa Cruz: Exploring 5 Local Taquerias
“When you’re far away from your culture, food is one of the only ways that you can get that connection,” said Keyla Garcia, a co-chair of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán de UCSC (M.E.C.h.A.). “When I would go home for the weekend and come back,...
Republicans are Willing to Kill Trans Americans for Lower Taxes
Editors Note: This article contains mention of suicide. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, call 1-866-488-7386. For trans youth, access to gender-affirming care can reduce suicide risk by up to 73 percent. This means 215 House Republicans have voted to...
Dear UCSC Students: It’s Time to Stand Up
There is no denying that we are a community of change-makers. We were the first university in the nation to name a department “feminist studies.” The first-ever commencement ceremony on our campus in 1969 was disrupted by passionate students who awarded an Honorary Degree to...
Merit: Scientists of Color are Vital to Their Fields
After the first physics exam I ever failed, I locked myself in my car in the North Perimeter parking lot, curled into the crease of the seat, and wondered if I had the “merit” to be a scientist. In my mind, I had proven true...
Who Cares What’s in My Thermos? Unpacking My Asian American Identity
Many Asian Americans I know are familiar with what I call “the cafeteria scene.” It’s the horror of opening up your thermos at lunch, scared that the contents inside will look weird and smell different. The disgusted look from your peers, their mouths overflowing with...
Fiction or Fact-Checked? Combating Falsehoods on Social Media and Beyond
Since his first term, Donald Trump has made the news his enemy. He co-opted the phrase “fake news” in 2016 to discredit any outlet or journalist critical of him. Now, just months into his second term, he is attempting to control and restrict who can...
Pawns in the Game: How the Model Minority Myth Makes Asian Americans Enable White Supremacy
In the echo chambers of subreddits and other online platforms, Asian Americans are stewing fearmongering and racist attitudes towards fellow underrepresented groups. I’ve seen it for myself; over the past few years, I’ve noticed an alarming trend of anti-Blackness both online and beyond within my...
Our Love is Like a Wormhole: Navigating an Online Long-Distance Relationship
For the past two years, I have only seen my boyfriend in person nine times. Our relationship began online and still thrives virtually today. Most of our quality time consists of texting, hours-long Discord calls and playing video games together. This Valentine’s Day, other people...
Nuestro Pueblo Unido, Nos Rehusamos a Obedecer: Our Village United, We Refuse to Obey
When you’re a kid surrounded by family, friends and community who have been there for your first steps, your graduations and around the house — you don’t question whether that loved one is “supposed” to be in this country. As a Mexican from the Calexico...