Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Licorice Pizza’ nails the nostalgia of failed romance

Share: Though some LA natives might scoff at the thought of an entire movie surrounding life in the San Fernando Valley, Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest endeavor Licorice Pizza is a wonderfully nostalgic tribute to the culture that defined the SFV circa 1970. Licorice Pizza demonstrates the same charm and frivolity audiences might recognize from Boogie Nights and Punch-Drunk Love, but with an appealingly distinctive flair. Anderson’s relationship with the Valley is without a doubt a firmly embedded love affair, and the Academy Award winning director …

Instagram’s ‘unattainable beauty standards’ torment students

Share: In a society where the internet is a large part of daily life, as well as a popular vessel for media consumption, it is important to be wary of how exactly the internet is affecting those who use it. Frances Haugen recently shed a light on the discrepancies between Facebook’s public statements versus how they actually conduct business behind closed doors. Critics are bashing Facebook for choosing profits over morality and overlooking damaging content because it could mean less user interaction, and consequently less …

Why California’s climate crisis will only get worse

Share: It is common knowledge nowadays that California is prone to wildfires, and within the last few years fires have been a large concern for many residents. As a consumer or an individual, it may seem as though this problem is out of the hands of the public. However, there is still time to turn things around for California, albeit not much. As of Oct. 13, 2021 there are 11 active fires burning in California as reported by the Cal Fire government website. Although some …

New law will delay policing careers of PCC cadets

Share: On Sept. 30 2021, Gavin Newsom signed 8 new bills into California law. All of which came as a direct response to the mistreatment of civilians, mainly communities of color, at the hands of police officers over the past year. Justice reform activists across the country have long voiced their concerns surrounding the rampant police brutality, lack of accountability and systemic inequalities. However, following the Black Lives Matter movement and the tragic death of George Floyd in May of 2020, legislation is finally being …

No surprise: Crime way down while campus closed

Share: After a year of remote learning, it is important for students to be mindful of their own safety, as well as the safety of others upon returning to campus. PCC’s 2021 Annual Campus Safety Report was released last week and details what types of crimes were reported on-campus, as well as what to do in case of a natural or man-made emergency. According to the document, crime rates at PCC have been low in 2020 compared to previous years. However, it is important to …

How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on campus

Share: Despite COVID-related restrictions, PCC students and on-campus groups are finding new ways to embrace their Latinx pride and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. In-person events may be scarce compared to previous years, but student-led PCC groups, along with faculty and staff, have organized a handful of events aimed to honor Hispanic culture and benefit Latinx students. Kicking off the festivities on-campus is the Shatford Library at PCC which is currently offering a curated selection of books, ebooks and videos about Latinx culture, food, music and …

To censor or not to censor, that is the question

Share: Censorship of television and movies is a discussion the American public has been having for over 100 years. Some believe in the freedom of personal expression while others feel as though movies and TV should be regulated in order to protect the public from graphic material. Whatever the circumstances, there is no doubt that the content in most television and film has become increasingly explicit and violent over the years.  Since the early 1900s, members of the film industry and lawmakers have been debating …

Dangerous vaccine misinformation spreads faster than COVID

Share: In an age of extreme socio-political circumstances and unlimited access to the internet, misinformation found online largely contributes to the opinions of the general public. It seems as though many people have a hard time discerning whether or not their source of information is reliable, which has proven to be especially harmful throughout the course of the pandemic. The anti-vax community has argued that the vaccine was developed too quickly and therefore it can’t be safe. However, coronavirus is simply not a new phenomenon. …

A legacy of destruction: How the US failed Afghanistan

Share: After twenty years of woefully misguided military involvement, President Biden announced the United State’s withdrawal from Afghanistan on Aug. 16. The announcement is extremely bad news for many Afghan citizens, especially those who advocated for human rights under the notion that they would be protected by the US. Now, millions of civilians and allies are in danger and the US has decided to turn its back on the same country it devastated for over two decades.  In an interview with TRT World, activist Mahbooba …

Don’t get dropped: How new COVID rules affect students

Share: In the wake of the infectious Delta variant, COVID-19 continues to affect many aspects of daily life including getting a college education in California. After a year of remote learning, PCC and various other colleges are ready to open their doors. However, with a vaccine mandate in place, reduced class sizes and many students suddenly returning to online learning environments this semester, any sense of normality on campus is still distant. Follow: