Blog Project (Work Sample)
Work sample reflection:
Journalism Blog Proj Refeclion:
This project was fun and interesting. The instructions were to pick a university newspaper and pick two articles a week from them and write a 200 word reflection about each. I liked that we were able to pick which university that we followed and I feel that the university that you chose to follow really says a lot about you as a person. I chose to follow the UCLA paper and I really enjoyed following along with them. I focused on many articles that were related to filmmaking and the film industry. This made the project more interesting for me personally. This project was hard to keep up with and I could have done a better job with that. At the end of the ten weeks we had to create a presentation and share our findings about the newspaper to the class I thought the presentations were the best part of the assignment and I liked how everyone handled the presentation in different ways and chose to report on different things such as usability of the website, variety of the articles like and dislikes and the history, funding and staffing that each newspaper had. I feel like I learned more about the newspaper creating the presentation than I did by examining the articles themselves so I think it was a good way to wrap up the project.
UCLA News Paper Blog Project
Week One:
Article One:
The headline of the first article that I decided to take a look at from UCLA’s student run paper The Daily Bruin was “It’s just a fact: Understaffed CAE office fail to meet student needs.” So first of all we need to know what CAE stands for CAE stands for the (Center for Accessible Education). The article’s lead states “Out of the nine total disability specialist positions the Center for Accessible Education typically maintains, only three were filled at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.” This automatically sets the tone and gives some context for the article. Now we know that this is not an issue that is normal for the CAE and they are usually able to fill and maintain those positions. Therefore this issue is unprecedented on the UCLA campus. After the lead the nut graph explains why the CAE is so important for the success and wellbeing of the disabled students. The CAE is supposed to be a tool that is supposed to help disabled students flourish.
When properly staffed the CAE is supposed to provide the medically necessary academic accommodations students need to succeed and learn. The office’s disability specialists are also supposed to guide students through the process of selecting and applying for the classroom. Staffing shortages have left students to fend for themselves. There is a lot of really interesting data provided in the article and one point that really stands out to me is the ratio of 1,281 students per specialist when the national average is 133 students per disability specialist. Another shocking piece of the data from the article was how underpaid the disability specialists are the average pay for a disability specialist at UCLA in 2022 was $35,788. In comparison, the average pay for disability specialists was $54,607 at UC Berkeley and $79,600 at UC Davis.” Wouldn’t you think because they are so understaffed they would have more money to the few employees they do have left.
The article also goes into many different student testimonials. They have testimonials from Nina Zamora, Quinn O’Connor, Katie Bogue, Hilary Wu, Madelyn Kelly, Julia Alanis, Gwendolyn Hill, Megan Borella who are all either current students or alumni of UCLA and also a few different faculty members. Being able to see all of the different perspectives and to hear all the stories of the frustrated students really gives you a new perspective and is helpful to comprehend what a wide scale problem it is and why it’s so important. One of the quotes from a student that I think wraps up the ending of the article is that “Fier said she only sees two viable solutions: a coalition-based approach to educate more students about disability issues or a class action lawsuit.” The only way these problems are ever going to change is if legal action is taken. Overall when the CAE office is understaffed the disabled community of UCLA suffers.
Article Two:
The headline from the second article that I decided to focus on from the Daily Bruin this week states “USAC unanimously passes resolution endorsing 100% clean energy at UCLA by 2035”. The news article starts off with some of the challenges they faced when trying to transition UCLA to clean renewable energy. One of the main challenges that they faced was the fact that there is less room for infrastructure because their population size is larger than the campus. There are some direct quotes from the campaign coordinator of the 100% clean energy campaign that talk about how we need to invest in long term safety and the fact that climate change is a very pressing and urgent issue. This is why UCLA has made decarbonization a bigger priority in the last few years and has set their date for complete decarbonization by a whole 10 years earlier than what they thought was originally possible.
The 100% clean energy campaign came up with the resolution draft that identifies UCLA as both a model on environmental issues and a polluter responsible for hundreds of thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. But there are many things on the UCLA campus that contradict this statement, the power plant on campus being the biggest. Nurit Katz, the chief sustainability officer at UCLA and co-chair of the Decarbonization Task Force, said in a statement that “the effort to reach carbon neutrality was challenged by a reliance on carbon offsets, while decarbonization will require substantial financial resources but ultimately encompass broader goals.” I think this statement embodies the main problem that is dealt with in this article. The fact that there are many challenges that the 100% clean energy campaign faces financially and socially but they are working through them and good progress is being made.
Week Two:
Article One:
The headline of the first article that I decided to take a closer look at this week from UCLA’s student run paper The Daily Bruin was “Student entrepreneurs can explore their passions while pursuing higher education” This article debates the belief that starting a traditional business and pursuing higher education is not attainable. The article takes us through how that belief is evolving with students on the UCLA campus. The article goes into how important the undergraduate programs are to help grow and cultivate this new attitude towards entrepreneurship and higher education. Students now have access to various university resources, connections and experiences, which make student entrepreneurs more likely to find themselves not only succeeding, but thriving in their endeavors.
The first student that was interviewed for the article was Mark Lin, a second-year cognitive science and economics student, who founded a company called Sliimeyhoney that crafts intricate food-inspired slimes. Lin describes how grateful he is to the UCLA community because he feels that they really helped him on his entrepreneur journey. Lin was able to earn $1 million dollars in 2023. “By following his passion and doing what he loved, Lin was able to develop a sustainable income for himself.” This is just one of the success stories that would not have been possible if it weren’t for the courageous entrepreneurs in the new generation that have taken on pursuing their dreams while still being in school and all of the new programs and opportunities that allow them to do so.
Some quotes that stood out to me from the article were “Investors are now looking at undergraduate students as the next generation of innovators”. I think that this is a really great idea and that undergraduate students are really benefiting from this mindset. Because investors are spending more time and money on undergraduate students, they now have the ability to gain practical knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship, management, finance, marketing, and other relevant areas. Another quote that resonates with me was “Despite societal assumptions, education attainment does not always determine one’s ability to excel in their career. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world dropped out of college.” Although college does put you at an advantage in most cases this statement is definitely true. I think this should be kept in mind because it is better to know yourself and know that school is not for you than to end up trying to push yourself to do something you hate and spend thousands of dollars. Everyone learns differently and for some it might be easier to self teach through trial and error.
In conclusion, the rise of undergraduate business programs highlights the increasingly intertwined nature of education and entrepreneurship. While starting a business and pursuing higher education may once have been seen as mutually exclusive, today’s aspiring entrepreneurs can access the resources, networks, and learning opportunities offered by colleges and universities to enhance their entrepreneurial journey.
Article Two:
The headline of the second article that I decided to take a closer look at this week from UCLA’s student run paper The Daily Bruin was “Opinion: Students can mitigate seasonal depression by embracing weather, taking precautions”. I chose this article because I thought the tips and advice would definitely help out students living in Maine. The article starts off by talking about how the cold temperatures and shorter days can have effects on students’ daily lives. The author of the article Danielle Taylor believes that “it is important to establish positive, healthy habits to beat the winter blues.” In the article it gives a definition of seasonal depression and lists some of the symptoms including fatigue, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite and anxiety.
Danielle Taylor then goes on to describe the seasonal depression she went through moving from L.A to Seattle. She said that “The activities that I usually loved to do, like sports, were a tremendous struggle. I slept more hours, lacked motivation in my classwork and ate one to two extra meals every day.” This is something I can definitely relate to because I moved from California to Massachusetts in the beginning of eighth grade and it took a lot of adjusting. My favorite things to do in California were go to the pool and go to the beach. In Massachusetts there is a small window of two months where you can participate in those activities and then you’re back to counting the days until warm weather again. In my opinion this can definitely have an effect on my wellbeing not only emotionally but physically as well. It becomes harder and harder to be active outside. Being outdoors was my favorite way to take care of my physical health, swimming, running, yoga all way better when you do it outside in a quiet and clean environment.
The article then lists some suggestions of what students can do to better prepare themselves for seasonal depression.
1.)Invest in warm, waterproof winter clothes.
2.)Make special winter traditions.
3.)Try your best to stop complaining.
4.)Don’t cut out healthy habits.
5.) If you believe you may have seasonal depression or anxiety symptoms, seek out resources and get support
6.) Turn your face toward the rain.
I believe this article has some good advice and it would have been helpful for me to read an article like this when I first moved. I think learning to be grateful for all the time we do have in the sun and not to wish away the days that don’t is an essential skill for keeping seasonal depression at bay.
Week 3:
Article One:
The title of the first article that I decided to take a closer look at this week is “Feast at Rieber celebrates Lunar New Year, serves traditional dishes with a twist”. The author of this article is Saya Mueller.This article is about the festivities and the preparation that goes into Chinese Lunar New year on UCLA’s campus and the asian inspired food from the employees of the dining hall called Riber. The long lines that formed in Rieber dining hall showcased the popularity of the event among the community. I believe that this article is engaging and effective because the writer uses creative and clear language to paint a picture in the reader’s mind of what kinds of festivities are offered on the UCLA campus for Chinese Lunar New Year. I don’t think this article is biased. It gives a well rounded perspective from students and workers that are involved/ participate in the event. There is creative writing to help draw the reader in and tie up the loose ends. There are pictures provided of the food and the workers and there is even a video to help readers really understand what the Chinese New Year festivities are on campus, why they should care and what a big part the Rieber dining plays.
Article Two:
The title of the second article is “Volunteers make Valentine’s Day kits for patients of Mattel Children’s Hospital”. The article is about volunteers from the UCLA community gathering together to make a difference in the lives of children in need of human connection by creating little Valentine’s day goodie bags for them. The author of the article is Shaun Thomas. This article is written effectively because it includes details of the who, what, when, where, why how of the event and draws readers in with the empathy and kindness of the Volunteers shown by including testimonials from them and why they wanted to help and their experience/ role in the event. These events can benefit both recipients and volunteers, people in the UCLA community saw where they could make a difference and offered their time and resources to create a nurturing atmosphere. There are pictures from the event that are included that show the volunteers assembling the goodie bags for the patients that help give the reader a better idea of what exactly the volunteers were doing and how many volunteers there were. There are a lot of quotes from the volunteers who participated so you can get a wide array of perspectives on how the event went, why they decided to volunteer, and the deeper meaning of their volunteer work (they aren’t just making goodie bags) They are spreading kindness and empathy towards the children who need it the most. The Article ends with this quote “They’re so young, and they’re going through things,” “It’s important that they experience the same joy and happiness that kids that maybe aren’t dealing with the same struggles get to experience every day.” and I think this quote was the perfect way to wrap it up and summarize the main point of the article.
Week 4:
Article One:
The title of the first article I chose to look at this week is “Late-night podcast promotes ‘Reel Talk’ from film buffs, casual moviegoers alike” The author of the article is Natalie Ralston.This article talks about how a fourth-year English student and Bruin Film Society media productions coordinator Khalessa Alexander created and hosts the weekly podcast exploring film for student film buffs. The show is Live on UCLA Radio every Friday night, the show aims to provide a balance between studying and enjoying film. One of the main goals of the podcast is to make sure that students who are outside of the film major/ minor community have a space to analyze films critically. The podcast highlights voices of Bruin Film Society members and delves deeper into conversations illuminating their knowledge and Hollywood hot takes. The article also talks about the future goals of the podcast and how Alexander says they are looking to broaden perspective on the podcast and bring in faculty and alumni insights.
One quote that stood out to me from the article was when the president of the UCLA Film Society Devin Bosley said “I think what’s fun about it is that we’re all college students,” We’re not necessarily members of the industry. We’re not trying to make this a teaching moment. It’s a conversation.” Another thing I really liked is hearing feedback from people from outside the major saying that they were learning a lot about film through the podcast. I think this sounds like a lighthearted and interesting podcast and I would definitely be interested in listening to it sometime. I think the article is effective at engaging the audience and uses a lot of quotes from multiple perspectives. I especially enjoyed the quotes from people outside the UCLA film community. The article also included several different photos of Khalessa Alexander the founder of the podcast which helped paint a picture for the readers. I also think that the article is the perfect length to keep readers engaged
Article Two:
The title of the second article I decided to take a closer look at is “A university post-pandemic: How UCLA can balance student engagement and accessibility”. The author of the article is Laura Gulbinas. This article spotlights the long lasting effects that covid had on college campuses and how the UCLA community is deciding to deal with those challenges. The article starts off with the statement “Today, the effects of this shift remain as professors reuse pre-recorded lectures and students neglect in-person learning in favor of the convenience of remote classes.” The article then goes on to talk about the importance of getting students back to regularly attending their in person classes. Although the article’s main goal is to emphasize the importance of in person learning it does bring up the importance of accessibility and the fact that recorded lectures can make it easier for students with disabilities, family or work responsibilities, and even those who need to go back and review material. I like that the article brings up the counter argument that although it is proven that in person learning is more beneficial for students that virtual learning does have its advantages for accessibility purposes. I know for me personally it would help me a lot if my lectures were recorded and that I could just go back and refer to them when I had questions.
The article also brings up how some professors find it difficult to balance the benefits of in-person learning and concerns regarding accessibility. Another key point of the article is how important it is for professors to regularly update their course materials. This has been a struggle at UCLA because there have been no guidelines or regulations put in place that require the professors to keep their material up to date. The main message that I got from the article is that level of engagement depends on in-person student attendance and cannot be replicated outside of the classroom and that UCLA and all other college campuses must do their part in regulating updated lectures and encouraging in-person instruction for the betterment of student learning.
Week 5:
Article One:
The title of the first article I decided to look at this week is “Film review app Letterboxd successfully brings cinema lovers together”. The author of this article is Avery Poznanski. The article starts off by explaining what the Letterbox app is for those who don’t already know. Letterbox was founded in 2011 by New Zealanders Matt Buchanan and Karl von Randow, Letterboxd allows users to engage in film criticism by ranking, reviewing and organizing films. Letterbox became popular during covid-19 and attracts many different demographics. Letterboxd describes itself on its website as a “global social network for grass-roots film discussion and discovery,”. The basic Letterboxd experience is free. Anyone can post a review, as Letterboxd participation exists outside the world of sponsorship and paid reviews. The ranking system works on a standard five-star scale. The article talks about how the app has been used as an outlet for users wax poetic about their favorite films, offering full synopses and analyses. The app has now exceeded its original and successful goal of uniting film lovers and is now growing towards a curated image, atmosphere and audience.
The article talks about how even Martin Scorsese who is one of the figureheads of the “death of cinema” conversation has gotten on board with the Letterbox app and how a platform that celebrates live film attendance and subsequent open discussion should be celebrated. The app helped so many film lovers gather together to share the Barbenheimer phenomenon that helped sell billions of movie tickets. I think the article is well written and engages the audience with specific details that help the readers come up with their own opinions if they think the app is beneficial to the film community or not. It gives multiple reasons why someone might think the app is contributing to the “death of cinema” but then gives their strong rebuttal of why it is specifically the apps support from respected members of the film industry such as Martin Scorsese
Article Two:
The title of the second article that I decided to look at is “Forever chemicals reported in study spark concern for the incarcerated”. The author of the article is Amy Wong. The article starts off with a diagram showing how contaminated the water is in the jails and what chemicals it is contaminated with. The diagram says that 5% is already contaminated with PFAs and 47% is likely to be contaminated with PFAs. PFAs stands for Polyfluorinated Substances. The article explains where PFAs come from and why they are used “PFAs are a category of chemicals often used in products such as firefighting foam and nonstick pans because of their water-resistant properties”. These chemicals are referred to as forever chemicals” because human bodies are unable to break them down. Then the article goes on to explain why the PFAs are so hard to get rid of and what kind of effects they have on the human body. PFAs cause a broad range of health impacts from birth defects to endocrine disruption. These are chemicals in common household products but also used in industry, and they’re everywhere, almost, so it’s a really big problem. Nicholas Shapiro, an assistant professor at the UCLA Institute of Society and Genetics said that It’s probably one of the most pressing, emerging toxic issues in the world.
Shapiro became concerned about this issue and did some research. Shapiro’s research showed him that The proximity of detention centers to potentially pollution-generating industrial facilities is a pattern that spans the entire country. He began reaching out to incarcerated people and realized water quality was one of their most common concerns. One quote that stood out to me from the article was “In addition to their lack of options, incarcerated people do not know and are often not informed that their drinking water may be contaminated.” To me that’s just messed up and not right. Just because these people are incarcerated doesn’t mean that they aren’t human beings. They should have the right to know if the water that they are drinking and bathing in is contaminated or not.
Week 6:
Article One:
The title of the first article that I decided to take a closer look at this week is “Last Bruin Flea of the school year hosts a variety of vendors, and raises money for unhoused”. The author of this article is Zoya Alam. This article drew me in because I think anything that has to do with helping the homeless is a good cause. The article starts off by talking about the Flea market culture of UCLA and how there is a monthly flea market on campus held from 3 to 8:30 p.m on the third Friday of each month, featuring vendors and activities including henna art, jewelry and clothes. The event director of the Bruin Flea Luis Lopez, said this month’s proceeds will go to the Westwood Village Improvement Association’s ambassadors team to assist the group in providing toiletry kits for Westwood’s unhoused population. The article talked a lot about the growing popularity of the Flea which has helped the organization give back to nonprofit organizations and local business owners. The Bruin Flea often features student vendors. This month’s edition included Smolhandsss, a beaded jewelry and UCLA sticker booth run by second-year biology student Josephine Ellena.
Another thing that was highlighted through the article is how friendly everyone was at the market Maya Sepulveda, a henna artist said that “The people seem to be very nice,” she said. “They are welcoming, very talkative and really supportive.” This helps paint a picture for readers and gives the impression that this flea market is a more laid back and relaxed environment than some other flea markets. In the article it talks about how they were able to use a second hand thrifting app called teleport to help bring new students to the event. They also mentioned how the flea market is starting to have “regulars” who have been to multiple of the flea market events. I liked that they included pictures from the flea market so you could tell what it actually looked like. Slowly but surely the flea market is becoming more and more established. Lopez says that a lot more people are starting to reach out and that they are getting a lot more vendors are interested in participating.
Article Two:
The title of the second article that I decided to look at this week is “UCLA researchers find sea urchins aid in maintenance of coral reefs” The author of this article is Paco Bacalski. A research team including UCLA doctoral students and professors found that sea urchins help maintain the resilience of coral reefs despite human activity. The way that the research team was able to figure this out was by measuring algae height in Pacific coral reefs both in the presence and absence of herbivorous sea urchins and fish, determining that even when most fish had disappeared, a robust urchin population helped reduce algal height and improve reef health. While doing research the team had to take into consideration climate change (increased sediment) due to extreme weather and human activities such as(overfishing). The findings from their research demonstrate a greater need for coral reef protection, as well as awareness of the communities dependent on these reefs for survival.
The team was inspired to do the research because they knew the importance of sea urchins to coral reefs in the Caribbean and wanted to see if the same was true with sea urchins in the Pacific also the fact that The role of fish had been well-documented, but the role of urchins hadn’t was a driving factor in their research. Peggy Fong, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and one of the co-leads of the initiative said that The main goal of the project is to increase diversity in the field and that they do that by empowering our undergraduate participants to do original, publishable, cutting-edge research. I like that the article goes into detail about the roles of the undergraduate students and professors and what led them to do their research. I also liked how they went into detail of the findings of their research and why that’s important to the environment and biodiversity of reefs.
Week 7:
Article One:
The title of the first article that I decided to look at this week was “2024 Hollywood Diversity Report shows success, increase in racially diverse films” and the author is Dylan Winward. The article discusses the findings of the 2024 Hollywood Diversity Report, which highlights progress in increasing racial diversity in films. According to the report, there has been a significant increase in the number of racially diverse films produced in recent years, with films featuring non-white leads or co-leads reaching record levels. Additionally, racially diverse films have performed well at the box office, indicating growing audience demand for diverse representation. Despite these positive trends, the report also notes persistent disparities in behind-the-scenes roles, such as directing and producing, where racial diversity remains limited.
The article underscores the importance of continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in Hollywood, both on screen and behind the camera, to ensure that the industry reflects the diversity of society as a whole. However, while there has been progress in on-screen diversity, the article also acknowledges the persistent disparities in behind-the-scenes roles, such as directing and producing. These areas continue to lack diversity, with racial minorities underrepresented in key decision-making positions. This disparity underscores the need for greater inclusivity and opportunity in the film industry, not only in front of the camera but also behind it. Overall I thought the article was well written andI liked the use of statistics throughout the article
Article Two:
The title of the second article I decided to look at was “What is Groundhog Day, and does science support its predictions?” and the author is Kate Vedder. This article explores the tradition of Groundhog Day and examines whether science supports its predictions. It starts by introducing Groundhog Day as a cultural event where a groundhog emerges from its burrow, and its behavior supposedly predicts the weather for the upcoming weeks. The article delves into the history and origins of Groundhog Day, tracing its roots to European folklore and its adaptation in North America.Professor of ecology and evolutionary biology Daniel Blumstein said that the tradition traces back to a midwinter festival in pagan Europe honoring hedgehogs’ supposed ability to predict the changing seasons. Groundhogs need to understand environmental cues that alert them to emerge from hibernation so they have adequate time to eat enough food to survive the following winter.
The article then shifts to the scientific analysis of Groundhog Day, questioning the accuracy and validity of using a groundhog’s behavior to forecast weather patterns. It discusses the skepticism of scientists regarding the reliability of such predictions, citing factors such as the small sample size, variability in groundhog behavior, and the lack of scientific evidence supporting the tradition.Additionally, the article highlights the cultural significance of Groundhog Day and its role in American folklore, acknowledging that despite scientific skepticism, the tradition continues to be celebrated and cherished by many. It concludes by suggesting that while Groundhog Day may not have a solid scientific basis for predicting the weather, it remains a beloved and enduring tradition that brings communities together. A fact that I found quite funny was that Punxsutawney Phil has only been accurate 39% of the time since his first prediction in 1887.
Week 8:
Article One:
The title of the first Article That I decided to take a closer look at is “brvino seeks to foster healthy drinking culture, wine appreciation among students” and the author is Katya Tankimovich. “Brvino,” a student-led initiative at UCLA that aims to foster a healthy drinking culture and wine appreciation among students. Brvino seeks to provide educational opportunities for students to learn about wine, responsible drinking practices, and the cultural significance of wine consumption. The article highlights Brvino’s mission to promote a balanced approach to alcohol consumption, emphasizing moderation, mindfulness, and responsible decision-making. Through events such as wine tastings, workshops, and educational seminars, Brvino aims to create a supportive and inclusive community where students can explore their interest in wine in a safe and responsible manner. To stay compliant with the minimum legal drinking age, separate off-campus events can only be attended by club members over 21 years old, Zhitenev said, adding that the high costs of liquor licenses and hiring certified bartenders make it difficult to hold events on campus. However, for students under 21 the club still hopes to build a community passionate about wine without necessarily needing to drink.
The article discusses the benefits of Brvino’s initiatives in promoting social connections, cultural awareness, and personal development among students. By encouraging dialogue and engagement around wine appreciation, Brvino aims to challenge stereotypes and stigma associated with alcohol consumption and create a more informed and empowered student body. The article presents Brvino as a positive and proactive initiative that seeks to promote a healthy drinking culture and foster wine appreciation among students at UCLA. It highlights the importance of education, community-building, and responsible behavior in creating a safe and supportive environment for student engagement with alcohol.
Article Two:
The title of the second article is “Getty Center’s College Night invites students to reexamine history through art” and the author is Izzy De Leon. The article discusses an event called “College Night” hosted by the Getty Center, which invites college students to reexamine history through art. The event aims to provide students with an opportunity to engage with the museum’s collections and exhibitions in a unique and interactive way. The article highlights the various activities and experiences offered during College Night, including guided tours, art-making workshops, live performances, and discussions led by curators and scholars. These activities are designed to encourage students to explore themes of history, identity, and culture through the lens of art. The Getty Center has opened its doors to Southern California college students since 2006 and encourages them to view all seven ongoing art exhibits, including “Hippolyte Bayard: A Persistent Pioneer,” “Nineteenth Century Photography Now” and “Drawing on Blue.” the accessible nature of this event allows for an unmitigated creative experience that can encourage students to enter the world of art.
The article highlights one specific artist that shared their work with the college students Jordan Eagles. Jordan Eagles art mainly focuses on the history of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community. One quote that stood out to me from the article was “The value of any arts … is something that unlocks a lot of things that are not necessarily taught in schools, and it’s something that should be valued and appreciated,”. Overall the article emphasizes the importance of College Night as a platform for fostering dialogue, critical thinking, and creative expression among students. By providing access to the Getty’s vast collection of art and artifacts, the event seeks to inspire curiosity, empathy, and reflection on the complexities of history and society.
Week 9:
Article One:
The title of the first article that I decided to take a closer look at this week is “Can professionalism be pink? The coquette trend and feminine expression” The author of this Ria Sanghera and this is an opinion piece. The article explores the trend of “coquette fashion” and its implications for feminine expression and professionalism. It begins by defining coquette fashion as a style characterized by its feminine, playful, and flirtatious elements, such as pastel colors, ruffles, and delicate fabrics. The article discusses how this trend has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among young women seeking to challenge traditional notions of professionalism and femininity. The article examines the intersection of fashion and gender norms, questioning the societal expectations placed on women to adhere to masculine standards of professionalism in the workplace. It argues that coquette fashion offers women an opportunity to assert their identity and autonomy by embracing their femininity and expressing themselves authentically.
However, the article also acknowledges the complexities and contradictions inherent in the coquette trend, noting that while it may offer liberation for some women, it can also reinforce traditional gender norms and expectations. It calls for a nuanced understanding of femininity and professionalism, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to self-expression and identity.Overall, the article presents coquette fashion as a reflection of changing attitudes towards femininity and professionalism. It encourages readers to consider the role of fashion in challenging gender norms and promoting diversity, while also recognizing the need for greater inclusivity and acceptance of diverse expressions of gender identity.
Article Two:
The title of the second article that I decided to take a closer look at is “Report examines deaths of people experiencing homelessness in LA in 2023” and the author is Leyton Breese. The article discusses a report that examines the deaths of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles in 2023. It begins by highlighting the key findings of the report, which includes statistics on the number of deaths, demographics of the deceased, causes of death, and trends over time.The report reveals that there were a significant number of deaths among people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles in 2023, with a disproportionate impact on certain demographic groups, such as older individuals and people of color. It also identifies common causes of death among this population, including chronic health conditions, substance abuse, mental illness, and violence.
The article discusses the broader implications of the report for addressing homelessness and improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in Los Angeles. It calls attention to the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to homelessness, including increased access to affordable housing, healthcare, and supportive services. Additionally, the article highlights efforts by local organizations and government agencies to address the root causes of homelessness and prevent premature deaths among this population. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration, advocacy, and community engagement in addressing the complex social and economic factors that contribute to homelessness and its associated health risks. Overall, the article underscores the importance of understanding the underlying causes and consequences of homelessness in Los Angeles and calls for action to address this pressing humanitarian crisis. It urges policymakers, advocates, and community members to prioritize the needs of people experiencing homelessness and work towards long-term solutions that promote equity, dignity, and social justice for all.
Week 10:
Article One:
The title of the first article that I chose to talk about this week is “New film and television course looks at labor unions, guilds behind Hollywood” and the author is Shaan Sridhar and Kenya Bertoli. The article discusses a new film and television course at UCLA that focuses on labor unions and guilds behind Hollywood. It begins by introducing the course and its objectives, which aim to provide students with an understanding of the role of labor unions and guilds in shaping the entertainment industry. The course examines the history, structure, and functions of labor unions and guilds in Hollywood, exploring their impact on employment practices, working conditions, and industry standards. It covers topics such as collective bargaining, contract negotiations, dispute resolution, and the relationship between labor and management in the entertainment sector. the article discusses the significance of the course in providing students with practical knowledge and skills relevant to careers in the film and television industry. It highlights the importance of understanding labor relations and industry dynamics for aspiring filmmakers, producers, actors, and other industry professionals.
The article acknowledges the contributions of guest speakers, industry experts, and union representatives who participate in the course, providing students with insights and perspectives from real-world practitioners. It emphasizes the value of experiential learning and networking opportunities in preparing students for success in the entertainment industry. The article presents the new film and television course as an important addition to UCLA’s curriculum, offering students a comprehensive understanding of the role of labor unions and guilds in shaping Hollywood. It underscores the importance of education and advocacy in promoting fair labor practices, equity, and diversity in the entertainment industry.
Article Two:
https://dailybruin.com/2024/01/29/california-experiences-increasing-trend-of-people-leaving-state
The title of the second article I decided to take a closer look at this week is “California experiences increasing trend of people leaving the state” and the author is Eugenie Chang. The article discusses the increasing trend of people leaving California and its potential implications. It begins by highlighting statistics that indicate a growing number of residents are opting to leave the state, citing factors such as high cost of living, housing affordability, and quality of life concerns as primary reasons for their departure. The article examines the demographic trends of those leaving California, noting that the outmigration is not limited to any specific demographic group but is instead widespread across age, income, and education levels. It discusses the impact of this trend on California’s population growth, economic vitality, and political landscape.
The article explores the potential consequences of outmigration for California’s housing market, labor force, tax base, and social services. It raises questions about the long-term sustainability of California’s growth model and the need for policy responses to address the underlying factors driving residents to leave the state.The article discusses various perspectives on the outmigration trend, including arguments that it reflects broader economic and social trends, as well as concerns about the loss of talent, diversity, and innovation. It concludes by calling attention to the complex challenges facing California and the importance of addressing issues related to affordability, opportunity, and quality of life to ensure the state remains a desirable place to live and work.
