Diversity sweeps ‘17 Oscar nominations

By: Sam Martini ~Staff Writer~ One of the biggest award shows of the season, the Academy Awards, honor the hard working people in the film industry with one of the most prestigious awards: the Oscar. The nominations for this year’s Academy Awards were released Monday. The most astonishing of the nominations, La La Land, received 14 nominations, tied for the most ever with Titanic (1997) and All About Eve (1950). La La Land received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Leading Actor and Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, two for Best Original Song, Best Original Score, Best … Continue reading Diversity sweeps ‘17 Oscar nominations

J.J. Abrams encourages more diversity in Hollywood

By: Katrina Gross ~Staff Writer~ Hollywood has always been wrought with controversy, both justifiable concerns and things that could be classified as simple gossip. The most recent scrutiny that Hollywood recently has been subject to criticisms that movies lack diversity relative to what the actual U.S. population looks like. Thus, a huge part of our country is underrepresented in the entertainment industry. The efforts to help Hollywood become more diverse are in response to hard facts about the lack of diversity in the entertainment industry. For example, despite the fact that approximately half of the movie-going population is non-white, only … Continue reading J.J. Abrams encourages more diversity in Hollywood

A perspective on hate in the U.S.

By: Jonathan S. Hogue ~Opinions & Editorials Editor~ The state of our political affairs frightens and saddens me. Today, we have individuals running for office who call Mexicans rapists, threaten to “carpet bag” nations and ban a religious group for the cause of “taking America back.” Especially with the backdrop of Black History Month, a time for the nation to reflect on issues of divisiveness, Americans have turned their back on true social progress. Growing up, I often heard stories about my grandfather who marched with Dr. King. He was imprisoned for three days after the march in Selma because … Continue reading A perspective on hate in the U.S.