Let’s chat about WeChat
Lauren Chen, Copy Editor
November 30, 2019
Ask almost anyone in China, 2019; they’ll know WeChat is everywhere. Known in China as Weixin, WeChat was created by the Chinese tech giant Tencent. Boasting over a billion users, WeChat is a combination of a messaging app, mobile payment service and much more. However, China is utilizing the app to k...
Trump administration repeats the cycle of book burning
Drishti Upadhyaya, Arts and Graphics Editor
October 6, 2019
History repeats itself as the Trump administration ventures into book burning, though not in the literal sense. Trump and his administration have enforced xenophobic laws since first coming into power. In 2017, Trump issued Executive Order 13769, commonly known as the Muslim ban, which suspended entry o...
Speaking the truth on free speech
Kavin Kumaravel and Vivian Kuang
May 30, 2019
“Free speech” has never been free. Common conceptions of free speech have always been based off the notion that speech affects each individual equally and that each individual has the same access to speak in the first place. Unfortunately, in many instances this could not be further from the truth, ...
Decolonizing the Indian LGBT+ reform movement
Pranav Chillappagari, Public Relations Manager
May 7, 2019
Being religious and being queer can often times come into conflict with each other. I am often told that my religion does not justify a “certain, unnatural way of life.” But as a Hindu, I find this connection false and ignorant, explained by a westernized change of Hinduism. The term “wester...
Asian-American backlash against race-conscious admissions threatens future of all minorities
Vivian Kuang, Public Relations Editor
May 2, 2019
As the nerve-wracking period of college decisions begins at Dougherty Valley and schools around the nation, many seniors rejected from their dream schools will feel bewilderment, wondering what more they could have done to gain that prized acceptance letter. While these emotions are understandable, recent...
The college admissions scandal can’t change anything
Vikram Balasubramanian, Opinions Editor
April 28, 2019
All the wrong questions When the news of the massive college admissions scandal was unveiled by the Department of Justice, people were shocked. Collectively, many believed that esteemed educational institutions could never be corrupted to allow rich kids to get in without qualifications. Others simply ...
A silent environmental crisis surrounds San Ramon
Daniela Wise, Social Media Editor
April 22, 2019
The lack of awareness surrounding environmental racism is jarring and threatens the future of our community. When one hears the term “racism,” our minds autopilot to segregation and the criminal justice system. Environmental racism is the practice of implementing policies and actions that discriminate a...
The progressive strategy suppresses results
Sanjana Ranganathan, Opinions Editor
April 16, 2019
President Trump’s average approval ratings have plummeted since his election, standing at just 40 percent, according to Project Fivethirtyeight, with numerous polls pegging the number even lower. The Robert Mueller investigation, controversial tweets, anti-immigrant rhetoric and the barrage of accus...
Political correctness makes our politics incorrect
Sarah Kim, Features Editor
April 9, 2019
Political correctness. It likes to pop up every so often on the Internet, social media or the real world. Just when it slips your mind, it sparks at the slightest conflict on social media and sets the internet ablaze with controversy. Although political correctness is supposed to promote inclusion,...
Destigmatizing the period: the pink tax
Sanjana Ranganathan, Opinions Editor
April 2, 2019
In 2015, President Trump commented on Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, referring to menstruation, to CNN’s Don Lemon, “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.” Rhetoric like this further stigmatizes menstruation, causing the issues that come with it...
Soldier solidarity drives Israeli abuse of Palestinians
Kavin Kumaravel and Vikram Balasubramanian
March 27, 2019
American politics is divisive and polarized, but you don’t need us to tell you that. It’s perplexing then to see numerous politicians, even supposed progressives, show undying support for Israel. Elizabeth Warren, justifying her vote to increase defense spending in Israel, stated that civilian ...
Centering on Central America
Riya Bindlish, Features Editor
February 11, 2019
Gunshots deafen the screams of thousands of civilians running from the rampant violence that continues to stamp over the Northern Triangle. Men and women from the region desperately protest for their human rights, hoping someone will answer the cries of a boy coerced by the Mara Salvatrucha to murder ...