Popped Culture

Country artists defy genre’s conservative foundations

By Eva Salzman, Staff Writer • November 5, 2020

The culture of country music has always been a conservative one, with the music being rooted in Southern tradition.

Modern films subvert stereotypes of Black characters in horror

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • October 29, 2020

Ever heard the quip that the Black guy always dies first? In horror movies, being any sort of ethnic minority, especially Black, is a mark of death.

Trump-era “whistleblowers” make money off books

By Elijah de Castro, Staff Writer • October 22, 2020

Bob Woodward, John Bolton and Sarah Huckabee have become pseudo-whistleblowers, publishing books that recount politically damaging backdoor experiences with President Donald Trump.

Nepotism in indie music industry leads to unequal footing

By Eva Salzman, Staff Writer • October 15, 2020

With the rise of the internet making it easier to share music on platforms like YouTube, it seems as though anyone can produce the next hit.

Black nerds are necessary to fandom culture

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • October 8, 2020

While white fans gatekeep the term “nerd,” Black lovers of comic books and anime create their own community.

Amateur video essayists discourage nuanced discussion

By Liam Conway, Senior Writer • October 1, 2020

Unfortunately, as is typical of most internet discourse, film discussion can be problematic and counterproductive rather than welcoming.

Authors capitalize off of famous book series with poor sequels

By Elijah de Castro, Staff Writer • September 24, 2020

Remakes, sequels and prequels keep appearing on movie screens and bookstore shelves to bank off of nostalgic fans.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion flex femininity in ‘WAP’

By Eva Salzman, Staff Writer • September 17, 2020

It isn’t difficult to see a pattern in how listeners respond to music based on the artist who creates it.

Striving for equity, Disney misses the mark again

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • September 10, 2020

The Walt Disney Co.’s reputation has been permanently marked by racial intolerance.

College-educated Youtubers share film knowledge with cinephiles

By Liam Conway, Senior Writer • August 20, 2020

People love movies, and they love to explore what makes their favorite films tick. That said, not everyone wants to dedicate their whole life to the craft or academic study of filmmaking. But like their...

In Afrofuturism, Black characters have a space in the future

By Avery Alexander, Staff Writer • August 6, 2020

So what is a Black person to do when most sci-fi either ignores us, portrays us badly or does the bare minimum to include us?

Anti-racism books make reading lists and top of the charts

By Elijah de Castro • July 23, 2020

The murder of George Floyd, its accompanying protests and the coronavirus pandemic putting the world on pause have resulted in a nationwide reckoning.