Art by Kris HarperThe biggest disconnect between the #BlackLivesMatter movement and “white America” is not political, economic or institutional — it’s emotional. Of course, there are severe structural inequalities between black and white communities, and of course they merit discussion. For instance, the black unemployment rate has remained twice as high … [Read more...] about White America, it’s Time to Wake Up
Perspectives
London Just Called and it Won’t Stop Crying
Editors note: Due to a procedural error, this story was written on April 9, 2015 but was not published until recently. We apologize for any confusion.Art by Chris Chen My parents were both wearing their sunglasses inside LAX. I hadn’t met most of the London program yet, and I am sure some of the kids were a bit confused. But I knew my parents’ tactics –– … [Read more...] about London Just Called and it Won’t Stop Crying
Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night
Art by Christine NelsonI remember starting at Pepperdine with a young mind that didn’t know anything about either people or the real world. It was a time of new friends, amazing fun and learning so much about life. It seemed to be a golden age for my life, and I felt I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Then I went abroad, and I traveled. I experienced rude Europeans … [Read more...] about Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night
Don’t Worry, I wasn’t Thrilled About NSO Either
Art by Peau PorotesanoThree years ago, overenthusiastic volunteers in neon orange screamed, “Welcome to Pepperdine!” as my polite father smiled awkwardly in the car rental that was 80 bucks cheaper but not nearly spacious enough for a family of five. The sea of orange is a shade so striking that lawmakers in the 1970s reserved it exclusively for prisoners. I … [Read more...] about Don’t Worry, I wasn’t Thrilled About NSO Either
Rethink Your Water Use
Two years ago I began working for the Volunteer Center. Each year we began with a training exercise in which we were given acts of service to prioritize. My highest priorities were always people-focused and my absolute lowest was always riding a bike to reduce pollution. The director asked me to explain why I considered bikes a fruitless venture. I replied confidently, … [Read more...] about Rethink Your Water Use
