A Woman’s Guide for (Straight) Dudes on OkCupid

Photo via OkCupid A woman’s guide for (straight) dudes on OkCupid, and maybe some insight for girls who are just now getting into the online dating scene. After being on OkCupid on and off for the last four or so years, I’ve seen enough horror to pass on a bit of inside knowledge. First of […]

The Youth Sports System Needs a Makeover

As the dangers of obesity have become more prevalent to Americans, we have consequently shifted to a more active way of living and healthier habits. This lifestyle has definitely translated to youth sports, as an estimated 45 million children and adolescents participate in them. [1] On the surface, this fact seems a pretty remarkable feat. […]

Fuller lips, Thinner face: Redesign of Disney princesses

When scrolling through pictures of Disney princesses, I was shocked by redesigns Disney came out with a few years ago. All the princesses in the picture wore sparkly dresses and many accessories. What stood out to me the most was the whitewashing of Mulan and Pocahontas.  Mulan’s face became narrower and her lips became fuller. […]

No Longer the Sidekick: The importance of diversifying in the media

The personas of a math genius or a martial arts master are stock characters found in movies and television shows. These stereotypes are examples of roles that Asian actors and actresses receive. They are casted as sidekicks and never star as the leading protagonist. Fresh off the Boat is the first sitcom to star an […]

The Termination of the Word “Slut”

The first thing that pops up on Google when you type “Monica” is Monica Lewinsky. Whenever people bring up her name, an array of negative words are said out loud that describe her “promiscuous character.” Lewinsky recently was a speaker on TEDTalks and she talked about her affair with former President Bill Clinton. She mentions […]

A Note to White America

  The crisis in Baltimore is an event that I’ve been trying to avoid as long as possible. It was not that I did not care about the struggle that African-Americans face in this country, nor was it because I felt that we as blacks were powerless to enact he change that we have been […]

Why Kanye West is One of the Best Musical Artists of the Modern Era

There are some people who will have read this article title and completely disregard everything I am about to say. To those people, I can’t say anything except that they are too narrow-minded to see through the overdone and absurd tabloids that surround Mr. West. If they are too biased to hear and witness the […]

4 Essential Hip-Hop Albums of the 90’s

With the release of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, a new standard has been set for the rest of the genre. No longer is rap limited by their production or subject matter, a beautiful revelation for the old-school hip-hop fans who are tired of the commercialized, club/gangster songs of the early 00’s. Finally, a […]

Misogyny in Music

Things are not looking good for Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke, who are being forced to pay 7.2 million dollars to Marvin Gaye’s estate for copying the soul singer’s 1977 hit “Got to Give it Up” on their extremely successful 2013 single “Blurred Lines.” However, lurking under the lawsuit and copyright violations is a more important […]

3 Tips for Dealing with People You Don’t Like

We have all been there. Everyone has had a study partner, roommate, co-worker or teammate that they just DON’T like. That person may not even be all that awful, they just simply don’t gel well with you. I’ve had my fair share of awful encounters with people I don’t get along with and each time […]

Racism, Rap and Why White America Does Not Want to Think About Them

Fox News is known to make thoughtless and harmful statements on contemporary American politics and culture, and this week it was Geraldo Rivera’s turn to spurn controversy over the popular news network. In an interview, he discussed his strong feelings against the hip-hop genre, claiming that it has “done more damage to black and brown people than […]

5 Reasons Why You Should ALWAYS Tip Your Server

I’ve worked in the food industry since I was about 16 years old. Besides actually cooking the food, I’ve pretty much done it all. I know that as a customer when you want to go out to eat, you probably aren’t thinking about anything except shoveling food into your mouth. I get that. But what […]

3 Tips for a Public Transportation Virgin

Growing up in Kansas has its perks. You have endless amounts of free country concerts and the best BBQ on Earth right at your fingertips, there is almost no traffic and the weather is mild more often than not. The great Sunflower State gave me everything I could have ever hoped for, except any sort […]

From My Music Library to Yours

Have you ever loved a particular, more obscure artist? I mean, like REALLY loved them? Remember that tight feeling that you got in your chest when they started to gain popularity? Remember how you couldn’t breathe when you first heard them on the radio? Remember how pissed you were when they got their first headlining […]

2014 Forest Hills Drive: Biggest Flop for J. Cole Thus Far

Let’s be honest: J. Cole is overrated. That is not to say that he is not a good artist or that he has no talent or message to deliver. In fact, I believe that J. Cole, whose full name is Jermaine Cole, is a very intellectually and socially conscious in comparison to many popular hip-hop […]

B4.DA.$$: A Remarkable Nineties Hip-Hop Comeback

Hip-hop has gone through many different phases, from the social-commentary focused sound of Grandmaster  Flash and the Furious Five, Public Enemy and Rage Against the Machine, to the beginnings of gangster rap in artists like N.W.A. and Coolio, 50 Cent and Lil’ Wayne. However, this barely even scratches the surface of the different types of […]

Use Your Voice

With the wave of the public’s interest in civil rights, it’s hard to avoid the topic when using social media. Trends like #blacklivesmatter, #yesallwomen and #illridewithyou flooded Twitter. Tumblr users went crazy over the topic, defending the minorities and hunting down those who abused them. Videos invaded Youtube as protesters and by-standers recorded live events […]

4 Things to Consider Before Getting a Pet This 2015

If there’s anything I’ve learned from the four dogs I’ve had over the years, it’s that raising a pet as a child or teenager is a lot easier said than done. If you’re thinking of getting a pet this 2015, make sure to consider these 4 things for the sake of your new dog, cat, […]

Change Is Hard: Why New Years Resolutions Aren’t for Everyone

I have never been one for New Years celebrations. I’m not against new beginnings, and my dislike of New Years celebrations isn’t only because I hate fireworks. In fact, I love that we blow up a big party every year in honor of the earth making another lap around the sun. The only problem is […]

Common Misconceptions of Generation Y

As an active reader, I always get a kick when I see multiple posts about how this generation’s lackadaisical approach to life is the best thing since sliced bread, how it is going to change the world for the better, and so on and so forth. Sometimes as I’m scrolling down the illuminated screen after […]