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Words gone wrong

Not so funny, guise

It starts off innocently enough. My friends and I will tease one another until one friend starts laughing hysterically, like a psycho, which we jokingly call her. Little do we know that one of her family members is dealing with mental health issues. A more common scene is when a Read More…

I'mNotTrayvonMartin

I am not Trayvon Martin

Notes from Underground

I saw a meme on Facebook the other day that says, “I am not Trayvon Martin.” It was posted by a “middle-aged, middle class, overweight white guy” who did not personally identify with Trayvon but still understood why the verdict was wrong. It has since gone viral. The message resonated Read More…

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The danger in being too comfortable

Not so funny, guise

It is one of the first things that makes students uncomfortable when moving to Berkeley — the widespread poverty. Encountering this social welfare problem tends to be strange because for the majority of students, this level of poverty is only seen on occasion and probably not seen in our hometowns. Read More…

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If your man’s condom fails in Texas

Notes from Underground

If your man’s condom fails in Texas, you’ll only have 20 weeks to decide whether to keep your unwanted pregnancy and only six clinics to help you. Texas House Bill 2, which prohibits women from seeking abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, was passed last Friday by a vote of Read More…

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What’s the point in reading the news anyways?

Not so funny, guise

Yesterday on Facebook, a friend shared a link to an article titled “The Rape of Men,” which I then passed on to a couple of my housemates. After reading the article and discussing it, we were undeniably sad for the rest of the night. Although each year has its low Read More…

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Why BART workers should stop complaining

Notes from Underground

For Berkeley students and Bay Area residents in general, the BART strike was a major inconvenience. Most of us don’t drive, and even those who do prefer to use public transportation over long distances. As such, it’s not uncommon to think that the unions have the upper hand in this Read More…

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Proud to be an Egyptian

Not so funny, guise

Barbecues, fairs, picnics, fireworks — this is how many people choose to celebrate the Fourth of July. Hopefully on this day, political differences are set aside as we gather together to take pride in being American. While some will celebrate the traditional way and have a cookout, others will express Read More…

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Affirmative action, or skin-based judgement

Notes from Underground

Two wrongs don’t make a right. Although this seems like a no-brainer, it’s a concept that eludes most supporters of affirmative action. Last Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its 7-1 decision to uphold the current admissions process, which considers race as a factor, at the University of Texas at Read More…

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Love your body, just not too much!

Not so funny, guise

All of us have those friends who seek advice on whether or not that fourth goldfish cracker should be eaten. And God forbid they end up actually eating that fourth goldfish, worth 2 1/2 calories, leading them to talk about how “fat” they are, leaving you questioning your body as Read More…

paula

Even butter can’t fix this, Paula!

Notes from Underground

The queen of butter’s show was axed by Food Network on Friday, following a leaked deposition that revealed how Paula Deen has used the “n-word” in the past. Deen currently faces a discrimination lawsuit — Lisa Jackson, a former manager at one of her restaurants, sued her for using racial Read More…