The keffiyeh is a statement based on freedom, resistance, and solidarity

Share: In California’s Bay Area, Abd Al Kareem Qaraman owns an online company called Rajaeen. Qaraman sells many items, including jewelry and embroidery. One of his best-selling items is the keffiyeh, a popular Palestinian garment in the region. For Qaraman, the business has been booming since the war in Gaza. But as a Palestinian himself whose family were refugees of Palestine, his entire purpose for Rajaeen is more than just to make money.    “We’re buying their product from a local market in the West Bank, …

What’s the big deal, it’s just the tip?

Share: To tip or not to tip that is the question. Does the server have to do anything specific to get your money or is it wraps from the jump and there’s no tip regardless of what they do? When the IPad does more work than the cashier should you still tip that 20%? Are you thinking about the employees in the back of the kitchen? These are just some of the questions that a lot of people, especially college students, think of when entering …

Dev Patel fights tooth and nail in bloody brilliant directorial debut

Share: After sitting on Netflix’s shelf for years before producer Jordan Peele took it off their hands and brought the film to the big screen, “Monkey Man” finds Dev Patel rising to the top as an unlikely action hero who holds his own against the “John Wick” franchise.  Patel, who broke through at 18 when he starred in Best Picture winner “Slumdog Millionaire,” serves as writer-director-star of “Monkey Man,” a far cry from the dramas he’s known for. In his stark departure, he punches against …

‘The First Omen’ delivers damn-good body horror

Share: Winter is over, and it’s time for Hollywood’s tortured and undying horror franchises to shamble their way into theaters one by one. Studios could have stuffed the spring schedule with series filler, but “The First Omen” brings a screaming start to the year, revitalizing the franchise with an experience that is visceral and shocking. Released last Friday, the feature-length debut from director Arkasha Stevenson is both a prequel and reboot. It knows when to foreshadow the Richard Donner original and when to ignore it …

‘Godzilla x Kong’ roars, leaving another win for the MonsterVerse

Share: “Godzilla x Kong” is the sequel to the smash hit “Godzilla vs Kong” where this time around the duo teams up to battle giant ape Scar King and his ice-breathing dragon Shimo while Kong continues his search to find others of his kind.  When compared to previous films in the franchise, “Godzilla x Kong” is more on the cartoony side with one fight scene being in an antigravity room where Godzilla and Kong are flying through the air battling other titans. The duo also …

It’s superbloom season: Here’s SoCal’s best wildflower trails

Share: As we say goodbye to winter and welcome spring with record-breaking showers, it is the perfect time to go out and see the wildflower superblooms around Southern California. Here we’ll show you some of the best hiking trails and viewpoints to see some picturesque flower fields.  1. Starting off with Diamond Valley Lake, a man-made reservoir in Riverside county. This reservoir provides much to do with facilities such as an aquatic center, community park, hiking trails, and viewpoints. Diamond Valley Lake offers 3 trails: The …

‘COWBOY CARTER’ is the perfect mix of music regardless of your favorite genre

Share: Beyonce didn’t play it safe when she buckled her belt and strapped on her boots for her new country album, it was a full indulgence into a new terrain. “COWBOY CARTER” succeeded in creating a safe place for those who do not identify as Beyonce or country listeners to thoroughly enjoy. Approaching the first listen of Beyonce’s second act of her ‘Renaissance’ era, there were a lot of personal doubts in terms of how  music can be enjoyed by those who don’t take themselves …

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, back in theaters cause Spidey can

Share: Spider-Man is a worldwide cultural phenomenon like no other, from his signature costume to his quips and jokes. Every generation is familiar with at least some iteration of the web slinger. If you didn’t see Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland as their own respective Spider-Man on the big screen, now’s your chance! Columbia Pictures is celebrating its 100 year anniversary with a redistribution of all 8 live action Spider-Man movies.  What’s not to love about our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? The character takes …

Hozier’s new EP ‘Unheard’ is too sweet to pass on

Share: Hozier’s newly released EP, “Unheard,” has taken hold of his fans and the internet in the best way possible. The release of this new ep has showcased a new, unexpected kind of writing and sound from Hozier that fans haven’t seen before.  Displaying his perspective of real-world issues through his songs as well as a new perspective on love, his usual muse for his music, Hozier composes such unique and extraordinary pieces that deserve their own spotlight in this EP.  The collection of his …

‘Invincible’ suffers from overcrowded, anti-climactic second season

Share: Soaring to the skies of a bloody start from its previous season, the animated superhero show “Invincible” adapts the comic book series of the same name, picking up on its devastating note with even more gory and thrilling moments of a passionately told story. With new characters introduced and old characters refurbished to become fan favorites, this new installation of the series showcases a new direction that can feel too bloated while still highlighting the captivating draws of the series, like the conflict of …