Waiting for Water
By Sofia Solares Five years. That’s how long it’s been since the city of Flint, Michigan had clean, drinkable water. Forcing people to use water bottles just to take a shower or cook is inhumane. Thousands of Flint residents have been living without a basic…
Behind the Vape Cloud
Every day I see friends taking hits anywhere from a dining hall to McHenry Library. My Snapchat feed is full of classmates blowing Os and doing french inhales. They take selfies while enjoying the sweet smell of the vapor that lingers in the air, but…
I Am Not a Doll
There is a difference between giving someone a compliment and exoticizing them. When people use “cute” at an inappropriate time, it can change a seemingly innocuous phrase into a backhanded slap. It’s an emotional hit that leaves a memory like a stain. For me, it was…
The UC is Committed to Free Speech, Not to Students
Students feeling safe and represented on campus comes second to upholding free speech at the UC. The UC Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement held its inaugural #SpeechMatters conference on March 21 in Washington D.C., which I and about 30 other UC students attended….
Accessibility Isn’t Optional
Watching City Council meetings is a regular task for student journalists, and it can be a pain for those of us who have difficulty hearing. The city isn’t making it any easier. The first time I watched archival videos as a reporter, I had to…
Forever 21 is Forever in the Landfill
Don’t let your Instagram feed rope you into buying more jeggings and crop tops just because they’re cheap. Fast fashion brands like Forever 21, H&M and Fashion Nova mass produce clothing made for people’s desire to follow the latest trends at a low price. Companies…
How to Reuse Your Last Issue of CHP
Reduce, reuse, recycle. It’s the phrase we all learned in elementary school to teach us to recycle, but the reduce and reuse aspects are becoming more important. In January of last year, China stopped accepting most U.S. recycling for processing, and UC Santa Cruz has…
Imperialism in the Aisles
Anyone who has been to Trader Joe’s will recognize its 19th century periodical style illustrations. These historical cartoons are meant to be comical, but their subtext is dark. From popcorn to paper towels, recognizing the history of imperialism…
Stop Policing our Bodies and Our Marches
It’s impossible to dismantle an oppressive system if you partner with its agents. And yet, the Santa Cruz Women’s March (SCWM) is partnering with the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) for a march that will, apparently, advocate for intersectional women’s rights. The choice to collaborate…