Story by Michael Mayemura Staff Writer Illustration by Martin Walsh Staff Illustrator From the dawn of the Cold War into the modern era, Russia and the U.S. have been entrenched in a perpetual arms race to outperform and contain the other. In turn, countless American media outlets have painted Russia as a threat to democracy and the […]
Quinnie’s Opinnies: Sympathy Sucks
Story by Quinn Manzo Print Editor Sympathy makes me really uncomfortable. It’s difficult to tell when it’s coming from a genuine place, and when I receive sympathy from someone, I feel an obligation to thank them profusely for offering me nice words. In the end, I don’t feel any better. Most of the time, except […]
The problem with modern parasocial relationships
Story by Elsie Waters Staff Writers Illustration by Martin Walsh Staff Illustrator Parasocial relationships have recently gained a threatening relevancy. While they are neither inherently good nor bad, their prevalence has heavily altered the dynamic between fan and celebrity, leaving individuals to face the fine line separating fan from fanatic. Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships, […]
SPUSD’s coronavirus policy is lacking
Story by Charlotte Dekle & Raluca Tudusciuc Staff Writers Illustration by Martin Walsh Staff Illustrator The return to in-person school marked the end of an era filled with uncertainty and chaos. However, what was supposed to be a step back into normalcy is proving to be a continuation of the disarray present throughout the pandemic. […]
Unpacking the 2021 Met Gala
Story by Charlotte Dekle Staff Writer Illustration by Allison Lee Staff Illustrator The 2021 Met Gala theme was American Independence, opening for a gallery exhibit called In America: A Lexicon of Fashion. The rather robust theme led to vaguely patriotic fashion choices. Themes for the ball are always relatively abstract but one would safely assume […]
The Myth of Plastic Recycling
Story by Benjamin Regan Staff Writer Illustration by Ethan Lyons Staff Illustrator Each year, approximately 35,680 tons of plastic are produced globally. Of that, it’s estimated that 75%, or 26,970 tons of plastic sit in landfills. Of the remaining 25%, 14% end up in oceans, suffocating turtles, starving seabirds, entangling octopi, and destroying marine life. […]
Tiktok culture fuels toxic mindsets
Tiktok pushes harmful narratives that diminish the identity and self esteem of impressionable children. Tiktok pushes harmful narratives that diminish the identity and self esteem of impressionable children.
A Look Back at The Afghanistan Conflict
As America withdraws troops from Afghanistan following two decades of turmoil, Tiger looks back at how it all started and tries to answers the question “what do we do now?”
South Pas Should Ban Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
Story by Benjamin Regan Staff Writer Illustration by Ethan Lyons Staff Illustrator The South Pasadena City Council voted to send ordinance 19A back to the staff for revision at their meeting on July 7, 2021. The ordinance would have entirely banned gas-powered leaf blowers in South Pasadena. However, lacking a plan for enforcement and potential penalties, […]
Why We Hate Twilight: The Problem With Media For Teenage Girls
Story by Charlotte Dekle Staff Writer Illustration by Penny Aboud Staff Graphic Designer Growing out of interest is an integral part of aging; it’s entirely natural for teenagers to no longer enjoy something they once did. With so much resentment being directed at teenage girls and their interests, it seems that many girls are abandoning them […]
The life of an only child, as told by the youngest of four
Story by Elsie Waters Staff Writer Illustration by Allison Lee Staff Illustrator In order to fully understand my predicament, one must first and foremost know that I have always shared a close bond with my siblings. From a one bedroom apartment that burst at the seams trying to contain us, to a house where bunk […]
Letter to the editor: race, class, and what SPUSD doesn’t want you to know about summer school
Story by John SrebalusContributor Illustration by Terry SongCo-Design Editor I’m not asking the South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) to do anything it hasn’t already said it would do. Says Resolution 2019-2020-26, passed June 9, 2020, “Whereas, [SPUSD] desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the […]
The beach is all I could ever want and need
Story by Amber ChenOpinion Editor Illustration by Tarry SongAssociate Design Editor Hotel del Coronado felt like “A Supposedly Fun Thing [I’d] Never Do Again.” I spent Wednesday and Thursday of spring break there, off the coast of San Diego. Most of my stay was spent eating overpriced food on the Sun Deck and trying to […]
Calls for peaceful protest aren’t calls for pacifism
Intense focus has been given to the tactics of protest movement across the U.S., most calling for “pacifism.” Yet, demanding peaceful protest against a violent government can run contrary to peace.
Commodity fetishism is at the core of social media’s absurdism
Story by Sam GrotensteinAssociate Opinion Editor Illustration by David SohnStaff Illustrator The Snapchat discover page is a horrible place. This may seem like hyperbole, but the explore page sits pathetically as the disgusting offspring of contemporary tabloid magazines and early 20th century travelling circus acts. It is a seemingly never-ending stream of 30 second long […]
Parental censorship hinders a child’s potential
Story by Kahlen MiaoStaff Writer Illustration by Nicholas FormanStaff Illustration When I received my first phone at the beginning of middle school, I was beyond excited. I was enamored by the prospect of an endless internet, however unsurprisingly, I was restricted from one of the most vital forms of modern communication: social media. Parental censorship […]