As Gen Z spreads its wings, it’s developing its own generational trademarks. Some of the more obvious markers of this generation are its heavy use of the Internet and social media and its hankering for social justice. These factors have, however, helped construct this generation’s political identity. One facet of Gen Z’s politics is in its support of feminism, but these feminist trends of the 2020s are still being counteracted by misogyny. 

In 2020, Oregon voters passed Measure 110, decriminalizing drug use within the state. Now, addiction rates remain high and overdose deaths a consistent problem, and the Oregon state legislature is considering backpedaling and making drug possession once again a low-level misdemeanor. Although this may be well-intentioned, especially as fentanyl deaths continue to spike across the US, criminalizing possession has never worked in the past, and it isn’t going to start working now. 

I have had my driver’s license since high school, but I came to college without a car. Instead, I brought a bike. Although having a bike certainly has its disadvantages, it is a good and feasible option for many students at George Fox University (GFU).

When I watched this year’s Grammy Awards with some friends, one of them asked, “How many of these people do you think are on Ozempic?” This question was a reaction to the recent wave of celebrity weight loss. I hadn’t noticed before, but once you see it, it can’t be unseen: dozens of celebrities of all body types have been losing weight in the past year. This amusing yet disturbing moment makes me wonder, “Are we still doing weight loss trends in 2024?”

Cinnamon cookie butter hair? Blueberry milk nails? Are you a coquette Lana-core girl or a cottagecore witch? Do you do clean girl makeup, clean goth, or soft grunge? If you know what any of these words mean, congratulations, you probably spend too much time on TikTok.

Since its foundation in 1663, the gilded halls of Harvard University have nurtured  American political leaders, academics, and millionaires. As a part of the notorious “Ivy League,” its prestige depends upon its legacy of keeping out women, racial minorities, and the poor; this dedication to exclusivity has been difficult to uphold and defend in the 21st century. Its recent instability, which led to the resignation of its first black president, Claudine Gay, exemplifies the continuing problematic nature of elite higher education.

On Dec. 28, Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was released from prison and the internet went wild.

This December–just over 2,000 years after the birth of Christ–Bethlehem was quiet and somber. The town, which sits in the present-day Israeli-occupied West Bank, is normally bustling during the Christmas season. Tourists and Christian pilgrims, who come from all over the world to see the historic birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, usually fill the town. But this year, Bethlehem was markedly lacking in its normal festivities. Over two months into a catastrophic war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, tensions were too high to attract many tourists, and residents of Bethlehem were too grief-stricken to celebrate.

The use of boycotts as a tool for social change is a well-documented phenomenon throughout American history. Most notably, the Civil Rights movements used tactics like the Montgomery bus boycott to push for desegregation. Boycotts have historically been a powerful way to bring awareness to social justice causes, but do they actually lead to tangible change? 

Ever since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, the region has been plunged into an increasingly bloody conflict. Instead of reckoning with the complicated history of colonialism in the Middle East, much of the world understands the conflict as something it fundamentally is not: a clash between Jews and Muslims. This misunderstanding, heavily fueled by Zionist rhetoric, serves only to dehumanize the Palestinian people and encourage global anti-semitism. 

College has long been a surefire route to job security, higher pay, and life-long benefits. More Americans seek out a college education to obtain those things now more than ever. However, many believe that a bachelor’s degree has lost its potency and that the master’s degree is the new bachelor’s. This phenomenon is a consequence of education becoming a product and the constantly evolving barriers of access to high-paying jobs.

For millennia, Christianity has led thousands to leave their homes for remote places to minister to the community through evangelism, scripture translation, and church planting. In recent decades, however, the face of mission work has changed to American young people with a savior complex going to economically underdeveloped countries to build schools, hospitals, and homes with a determination to display their hearts for Jesus. This work often does more harm than good to those communities and undermines the purpose of mission work.

Christianity is supposed to be a faith rooted in community, but what happens when the community picks and chooses who it accepts? Grace Semler Baldridge, who goes by Semler, has been exploring this question through music since they became the first openly queer artist to top the Christian music charts in 2021. On Sept. 15, Semler released “Night Aches.” Their new EP contains songs like “Faith” and “Be Like Jesus,” which specifically explore the pain and beauty of being a queer Christian in spaces that try to lock queer people out of religion.

Every fall semester, George Fox University (GFU) hosts Serve Day. According to GFU’s website, students, faculty, staff, and alumni go across the community to support local organizations on this day dedicated to service which aims “to utilize serving as a means of greater proximity, deeper learning, and mutual empowerment with our neighbors.” The goal of this event is to inspire students to volunteer year-round and, through this, deepen their relationship with Christ.

This month, former student Camilla Carpenter settled a lawsuit for $4 million against George Fox University (GFU) and another former student Marshall Magill on claims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.

We are just weeks away from the end of another year. Classes are winding down, projects are due, tests are coming up, and the summer sun is almost here. While the excitement and anticipation is almost unbearable, students have to remain engaged and focused on finishing out the year strong before it is time to head home for the summer. Adding to the chaos, students are expected to pack up their temporary homes.

Have you decided to call campus your home over the summer? If you have, you are one of the few students who have decided to hang out on the quad a little longer than the rest. Whatever is keeping you here, one thing is for sure: it’s probably not the luxurious dorm rooms with amazing air conditioning (AC) made to withstand the elements.

I haven’t paid much attention to my schedule for this semester. During the first semester, I was very aware of when the breaks were and when I was going home. This semester, through no fault of my parents, I have paid little attention to when I might be going home. However, I did notice that all of my friends at other schools were comfortably enjoying spring break before I was. 

TikTok’s domination over society’s consciousness is undeniable. Adolescents and young adults flock to the app to uncover pending trends, lifestyle hacks, and hilarious pop culture moments. It is the epicenter of social media and youth culture. To be off TikTok is to be out-of-the-loop, a phenomenon keeping people tethered to its use.