Opinion

OPINION: Queer representation in the media

  Queer media broaches conversations on queer existence and resilience and gives the opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to see themselves represented in an accurate way. Here, we’ve laid out some of our favorite and most poignant examples of queer representation through various mediums. Joseph’s picks:  OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES, album by SOPHIE SOPHIE was a Scottish trans-woman musician, and her tragic and untimely death earlier this year was painful for many of her fans and the LGBTQ+ community. SOPHIE’s legacy and artistic genius will forever reside in one of her most well-known works, “OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES.” Released in 2018, this album is emotional, genre-bending and magnificent. 

Comics October 11, 2021

LETTER: National Coming Out Day celebrates LGBTQ+ community, defies colonialism

  Happy National Coming Out Day! I am so happy you are sitting in your authentic self. For those who don’t have the capacity for being out, thank you for staying with us and fighting through the hard times, we hold you near to us. National Coming Out Day means so many different things to many of us. For many, this is a day of celebration, a joyous milestone of affirming oneself. For others, it is a somber day, reminding us of those who were not able to live in their authenticity or punished for doing so.  The concept of being out is a colonial construct. Before colonization, trans and queer folks existed not as separate, but as part of the larger community. 

REVIEW: ‘Titane’ proves to be visceral cinematic experience

 This review contains spoilers If you’ve been keeping up with high-profile film releases from this year, then you most likely have heard the film “Titane” being thrown around in conversation. Of course, the reputation this film has earned has likely preceded any positive or negative feelings surrounding it. Luckily, “Titane” largely lives up to its reputation. “Titane” marks the return of French director Julia Ducournau, whose violent and sensual debut “Raw” signified her as one of the most exciting and unique up-and-coming directors. With “Titane,” Ducournau has cemented her place among the top directors currently working in the film industry.

Comics October 4, 2021

OPINION: Tim Burton films lack representation

  A chill in the air and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew on the menu at Starbucks mean that it’s the perfect time to binge watch spooky movies. However, you should think twice this fall about putting a Tim Burton film with questionable representation into your queue.  Of the 26 feature-length films that Burton has either directed or produced, only four of them have Black actors in supporting roles, and only one has a Black actor in a leading role — Samuel L. Jackson as the villain in “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Extraordinary Children.”   Burton made headlines back in 2016 when the film was released after his interview with the women’s magazine Bustle. 

OPINION: Fall recipes to sweeten up your semester

  Baking pies and cookies in fall has always been my favorite autumn activity, and warm desserts always help on a chilly day. This fall, I decided to try a new recipe, pumpkin spice cake balls, and an old family favorite, pecan pie squares. Pumpkin spice cake balls Fall has arrived and with it, a barrage of pumpkin-themed foods and drinks, including the ever-so-popular Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Have you ever wanted to have this delectable drink in the form of a cake ball? Well, look no further than this delectable recipe.

LETTER: Why isn’t UNM requiring high school students on campus to be vaccinated?

  In late August, the University of New Mexico publicly announced that all students, staff and faculty accessing University facilities would be required to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30, with two exceptions: medical necessity and sincere religious belief. What the UNM administration failed to tell the public was that there was a third exception to the vaccine mandate: high school students attending UNM classes.  The UNM administration has informed the United Academics of the University of New Mexico’s bargaining team that it is too complicated to require high school students to be vaccinated. 

September 20, 2021 Comics

OPINION: Sparse tree canopy in International District indicates environmental racism

  The International District, one of the least affluent areas of Albuquerque, might as well be the poster child for environmental injustice. This ethnically diverse area is knee-deep in the cruxes of climate change, seen by way of the urban heat island effect, which comes to fruition through substantial infrastructure development such as concrete buildings and asphalt in cities. The effect causes cities to absorb and trap heat in areas like the International District, which is an area between Lomas, Eubank, Gibson and San Mateo. This trapped heat results in hotter temperatures during the day and less cooling at night, which is particularly impactful on the most densely populated neighborhood in New Mexico. 

REVIEW: Sally Rooney’s new novel serves to reinforce her place among the greats

  “Beautiful World, Where Are You,” Sally Rooney’s third novel, is a marvelous display of deft description and skillful storytelling. It’s safe to say that Rooney’s smash hit, “Normal People,” wasn’t her last masterpiece; rather, it was clearly just the beginning of her (hopefully) long lasting and successful career. “Beautiful World” tells the story of best friends Alice Kelleher and Eileen Lydon from college to early 30s; they live apart but stay connected over email, and are forever intertwined through lasting friendship. Of course there are other characters, like both women’s respective love interests, as well as Eileen’s chaotic sister Lola, but Alice and Eileen are the main focus of the novel.

September 13, 2021 Comics

REVIEW: “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is more than just another Marvel success

This review contains spoilers. Each time I find myself in a theater gearing up for Marvel’s newest offering, I can’t help but prepare for the worst. As the lights dim and that iconic Marvel opening plays, I shield my eyes from the screen, prepping myself for the impossible: a disappointing Marvel movie. But just from the first few minutes of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,'' I quickly realized that Marvel has another hit on their hands.  What I didn’t realize until the credits started rolling, though, was to what scale this film might have an impact on Asian representation in film.

September 7, 2021 Comics

OPINION: UNM men's basketball player pairing could solve team's issues

Last year, the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team was terrible on the offensive. They couldn’t shoot, they turned the ball over way too much and their defense was poor in the backcourt. There were problems all over the roster, but the most glaring started at the guard positions, which are the most important positions in college basketball. This season won’t be perfect in that department either, but UNM does have two players that could propel the Lobos to better offensive bliss if they can play together: Saquan Singleton and Jamal Mashburn Jr.

OPINION: Sexism pollutes sports industry

  Sexism in sports has tainted every aspect of the industry and continues to do so even today. In a seemingly progressive society, we remain decades behind where we should be. Women are continuously viewed as lesser than men, and this trend in sports is something that needs to be addressed and worked on. From a local perspective, I see a distinct lack of coverage in female teams, whereas male teams are in every media aspect imaginable. The University of New Mexico has more womens’ sports teams than mens’, so why am I only hearing about the mens’ teams? 

REVIEW: ‘Candyman’ (2021) shows the horrors of gentrification

  This review contains spoilers If you asked any filmmaker working in Hollywood right now, regardless of talent or experience, if they would want to remake 1992’s “Candyman,” the general consensus would probably be a resounding, “No, the original was already so good; how could I even come close to approaching that?” Enter director and co-writer Nia DaCosta, who boldly takes on the challenge of re-imagining one of the most iconic ‘90s horror films and overall one of the most iconic horror films of all time; DaCosta steps up to the plate with an immense respect for the genre and a whole load of creativity.

August 30, 2021 Comics

OPINION: New “Witcher” movie adds depth, beauty to established universe

  As an avid fan of the hit Netflix series “The Witcher,” I was devastated when I originally burned through the eight, hour-long episodes very quickly. However, Aug. 23 brought some new content with the release of “The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf,” an animated movie independent from the first series that’s actually worth watching. My initial excitement about this new series was short-lived when I learned the characters would be unfamiliar and the plot would be completely unrelated to that of “The Witcher.” However, I soon came to realize that while the stories may be different, the world that both productions share was greatly benefited by this new animated film. 

OPINION: My traumatic experience as a breakthrough COVID-19 case

I write as a student journalist that has covered the COVID-19 pandemic since it started. I write as an aspiring musician who has been playing the flute for half of my life. I write as a heartbroken person who feels isolated emotionally and physically as I get over my experience with COVID-19. And I write for all the people lost due to the recklessness of others. I did everything right: I’m fully vaccinated, I’ve been adhering to mask mandates and social distancing, and I’ve been putting my life on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. But I still got the virus.