pop culture

The headline rundown: Modern popular culture topics in the realm of politics, legislation and activism.

Dear ESPN, Keep Your Politics Out of My Sports Broadcast!
As a kid, I loved playing sports. I still do as an adult. Posters of Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain covered my walls and I wanted to be just like them when I was a little girl. My sister Julia played basketball and my brother Steven played football, so athletics were quite commonplace in my household. Julia was the only girl on her team, so she was somewhat of a celebrity in our neighborhood. Everyone knew who she was by her pink Air Jordan sneakers and brightly-colored Scrunchies. Steven was a star quarterback. As a kid, I played forward when I played soccer. Once the final school bell had rung on a Friday, I couldn't wait for it to be a Saturday morning so I could release all my pent-up energy on the field. My father was a basketball and football coach, so involvement in sports was definitely a rite of passage. That was nearly 20 years ago. Nowadays, ESPN looks more like CNN or Fox News. In a video for PragerU, Outkick the Show host Clay Travis puts it this way:
By Devin Nassar-Reis7 years ago in The Swamp
Ariana Grande and Blackfishing
Ariana Grande recently came under fire for using a "blaccent" in a promotional video for her newest single, "thank u, next." Grande, who is Italian-American, spoke with an over-the-top ghetto accent in describing a childhood photo. Several Twitter users compared this clip to a clip of her speaking about ten years ago. Her look was quite different then as well.
By A.O. Monk7 years ago in The Swamp
I’m an Artist. Your Offense Is Not My Problem
A song from The Little Mermaid has been cut from a Princeton performance for being offensive. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” has been removed from certain radio rotations due to being offensive.
By Joel Eisenberg7 years ago in The Swamp
Your Fave is #Problematic
Callout & Cancel Culture—the pop culture writer's best friend. We have to get real here: drama is fun. It's toxic and horrible and literally ruins people's lives - but it's also fun. No wonder YouTube is full of drama channels. We want the tea. We need the tea.
By Noelle Clarke7 years ago in The Swamp
Why Are You Ranking: Most Significant Moments Regarding Kanye West as Expressed by American Presidents Listed from ‘Good Life’ to ‘So Appalled’
As he has hinted at an award show, rapper, producer, fashion designer, husband, father and omaven Kanye West wants to be President of the United States of America by 2024. But does he know about the Iowa Caucus and the Electoral College? What credentials does he possess that would make him a viable candidate for the leader of the semi-free world? While Kanye contemplates on becoming commander-in-chief, he can reflect on the previous presidents who became piqued, raised ire, or endorsed the Hip Hop megastar. For over a decade, Mr. West has experienced three American presidents mention his name in some form or fashion. Like a clothing factory that stitches together fabric, the words and actions that the presidents exchanged in regard to West brought together an embroidery of derision, dismissal, and admiration. Kanye West, as his debut album, The College Dropout (2004) attests, knows nothing collegial beyond a few arts classes and does not possess a degree. Now, this didn’t stop President Harry Truman from capturing the highest office in the nation. But what does he have to offer that will make America exceptional again? Maybe a MAEA hat would be too awkward. But if West is serious about his intentions to become president, he will have to weigh some serious issues before he even gets a chance to begin a potential run. So, get your Yeezy Boost sneakers and campaign buttons for, Why Are You Ranking: Most Significant Moments Regarding Kanye West as Expressed by American Presidents Listed from ‘Good Life’ to ‘So Appalled.’
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in The Swamp
Cartoons and Fake News: A Rude Awakening into the Plague of a Digital Society
In an era where peddlers of fake news thrive like flies in a dumpster, people of goodwill may attempt to clean up the mess, but most will still believe the bs.
By Karina Thyra8 years ago in The Swamp
Depictions of Communism in Cinema and Other Media
Communism has always been an ideology that has keenly interested me. As a Democratic Socialist I 'believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few.'(Qoute taken from Democratic Socialists of America Website, 06/02/18.) I personally do have sympathies towards some of the ideals associated with communism but then also my political opinion is that the ideal only works in principle. It does not and never has worked in practice.
By Craig York8 years ago in The Swamp
When Fashion Makes a Statement... (And Why I Love It!)
In almost every facet of our pop culture today, blunt or not, you can find some sort of social commentary about what's going on in the world. Fashion is no different. Recently, the 13th annual "Fashion For Relief" charity show took place at the Cannes Film Festival. In honor of the show, I'd thought I reflect on some of my favorite moments in fashion that made powerful statements about the climate of today's culture on the runway.
By Saint Writes8 years ago in The Swamp
The Most British Day Ever Isn't British at All
"So what is there to be excited about?" I hear you murmur quietly to the friend next to you, nervous that if you get caught saying such things the Queen will have your head on a spike.
By Lem Binge8 years ago in The Swamp
Most Ridiculous Things Melania Trump Has Ever Said
Donald Trump is not new to the world of controversy, fake news and White House media coverage. In fact, his name and face have most likely appeared in practically every daily newspaper, news telecast, and mobile video ever recorded since his 2017 inauguration. Much to his chagrin, when panning the camera from his overzealous self-proclaimed politics and ideas, one might eventually catch a glimpse of his wife Melania Trump, seen hovering by the corner, looking rather dolled up for an event unnecessarily sanctioned. Assessing President Trump's first year in office is no easy task, but if we take a quick and simple look at the ridiculous things Melania Trump has ever said, we may get a small glimpse into the ways his family operates. To start, I'll give you what I feel is her least ridiculous quote, spoken on the Today Show when asked what habit she wishes Trump would cease:
By Donald Gray8 years ago in The Swamp
Music, Movies, and Video Games
When something bad happens, we often tend to look towards the easiest target. Or as Occam’s razor says, “the simple solution is often the correct one.”
By James Howell8 years ago in The Swamp
Art Analysis from an Art Student
When I reminisce about the years of 2008-2016, I realized that a lot of events happened. Movie stars, writers, artists came and went. I narrowed it down to events in my own life that happened. I graduated high school, I graduated my undergrad, and I became a graduate in that time. Romances for me were discovered and I lost many. I gained more strength in my artwork and my writing.
By Josh Odd8 years ago in The Swamp