Social Media and the Normalization of Hustle Culture

The term “hustle culture” often reminds our generation of the ironically motivational social media content from which it originates. A mass amount of cloned Instagram accounts regurgitate the same Elon Musk quotes about working 100 hour work weeks to start his businesses, all hoping to convince their audience that hard work will give them all … Continue reading Social Media and the Normalization of Hustle Culture

Outward Representation: More Harm than Help?

A Vegas-style yacht bachelor party. The disapproving potential mother-in-law. A white mansion with luxury cars rolling up to the door with just enough time for stylish, designer-clothing clad couples to step out before the private valet takes over. While the images above could describe a variety of flashy rom-coms, the buzz around "Crazy Rich Asians" … Continue reading Outward Representation: More Harm than Help?

Where are all of the diverse dancers?

Because of the European origins of classical ballet, and a lack of strong initiatives for change, it seems the answer is "nowhere to be found." Dancers in the Pacific Northwest Ballet performing, photographed by Angela Sterling Most major corporations in the United States have diversity initiatives. Upholding a diverse student body is essential for top … Continue reading Where are all of the diverse dancers?

The Last Man Standing: Survivor and Gender

Close your eyes and picture a survivalist, fighting against the elements on a deserted island. What do they look like? Something like this? Or maybe this: Or maybe one of these: The image of a strong (usually white) man using his muscles and wit to weather the wilderness has a unique place in the cultural … Continue reading The Last Man Standing: Survivor and Gender

Sex and Teenagers: What TV Keeps Getting Wrong

Cuties, while portraying a plausible scenario, goes too far in it's presentation. No actress here is older than 14. If you happened to be part of that very large intersection of individuals that participated in the death scroll of YouTube and the endless consumption of Netflix during the early days of quarantine, then you’ve more … Continue reading Sex and Teenagers: What TV Keeps Getting Wrong

Euro-Colonialism: Just Fun and Games?

I am obsessed with board games. No, seriously. In the basement of my parent’s home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I have a collection of nearly three hundred tabletop board and card games. They sit neatly stacked on white, wooden shelves, piled high on coffee tables and sideboards, sometimes spilling over into other areas … Continue reading Euro-Colonialism: Just Fun and Games?

Muddling of Mental Illness

Back in 2017, the television show “13 Reasons Why” aired. The show presented the story of a fictional teenage girl, Hannah, who leaves behind 13 recordings on her cassette after killing herself. Each recording blames a person who supposedly played a role in Hannah’s decision to commit suicide… Dark, I know. The show drew massive … Continue reading Muddling of Mental Illness

The Riches of the Small Screen

When examining the popular tv shows of the past few decades a common theme, for a lack of better wording, is “rich”. While the premises of these shows may vary, there is a commonality rooted in wealth. For as long as we can remember, television show makers and viewers have held an infatuation with the … Continue reading The Riches of the Small Screen

Vandalism, Activism, or Both?

Often, we don't take a second look at spray paint-covered walls when we walk down the streets; we avert our eyes or ignore tagged bricks on our daily commutes. Usually, it's a lot easier to look away or only think about it long enough to hazard a guess on gasp hypothetically-effected property values. But the … Continue reading Vandalism, Activism, or Both?