Gia Pham

Trend Idea: Typically Marginalized Individuals Reclaiming Derogatory Language People to interview and questions 1. Females  How might referring to yourself as a “slut” or a “bitch” be empowering to you if that language is often derogatory? Do you call others “slut” and “bitch”? If so, who? How would you react if someone calls you those names? Does it depend on who is saying it? Has your opinions about these terms changed over time, if so, why? African Americans Do you feel black people nowadays are doing their relatives good by saying the n-word if it was used to abuse African Americans for decades? Is there a difference in the n-word that has an “-er” as opposed to the “-a” ending? How do you feel if someone who is not black uses the n-word (including “nigga”)? What does the n-word mean to you? LGBT individuals When and why would you use these words? How do you feel when someone is not LGBTQ uses these words? Have you’ve ever been personally insulted with...

Trend Feature Ideas 1. VSCO girls vs. E-girls a. VSCO girls and e-girls have been dichotomies and often derogatory terms coined and used by teenagers and young adults to categorize girls with certain aesthetics who act in iconic manners. These terms have been so popular that big money corporations started using them in order to appeal and seem relatable to the younger audience. This feature will investigate the trend at a deeper level by suggesting that these terms are actually products of internalized misogyny, gender stereotypes, and the phrase, “I’m not like other girls”. b. This trend feature will interview girls who identify as either a VSCO girl or an E-girl and get their opinions on why they chose to align themselves with that group. Males, since they can neither be a VSCO girl or E-girl, can also be interviewed. The questions in the interview will refresh the ideas of VSCO girls and E-girls and then slowly escalate to questioning the interviewees if they believe these ter...

Re: Westfield Valley Fair mall could begin charging for parking next year Even window shopping at Westfield Valley Fair Mall might have a price, and I’m not buying it. As a student at San Jose State University who frequently visits Valley Fair, I am extremely upset to hear that it will be charging for parking in the coming years. Since I started college, my friends and I have made it a routine to visit the mall every Wednesday after class to look at new trends or simply for retail therapy. But if Valley Fair is going to start charging us extra just for a stroll through the stores, my friends and I are going to scroll online instead. Charging for parking at a mall not only dissuades people from going, but ultimately just perpetuates the addiction to electronics and lack of community interaction.

David Sharkbek, a SJSU economics alumnus and author, discussed how the lack of space and services in California’s prison system has created more gangs, allowing America’s prison system to face far worse issues than other countries.

No one knows the comfort of a pen, a piano, and a notebook like Sierra Hultgren. Singer and songwriter from the Bay Area, Sierra is an exceptional student at San Jose State University who enjoys using her spiritual experiences with love as inspiration for her indie-pop poetry.  Sierra started learning piano at 8-years-old.  After just two years of practice, she realized that she could also sing along to the notes.  She practiced years on years creating melodies and writing poems.  Sierra would write her poems at night before bed because it would help her review her day and prepare for the next.  “Songwriting really helps me process my emotions in a way that’s meaningful and that I can express to others, “ Sierra said.  But Sierra does not typically share her songs with just anyone.  In fact, Sierra keeps most of her poems private as she feels they are very personal and close to heart. Her brother, Jason Hultgren, noted , “She...

What is the trend that is the focus of each story? The trend in the first story focuses on how technology, specifically texting and messaging, has become a popular way of communicating to a family member in a household due to its accessibility and lack of face-to-face recognition. The trend in the second story focuses on how libraries have become a center for the homeless, deterring students and others from enjoying its services. Which story appealed to you more and why? I enjoyed the first story about cellphone-messaging more because it was written in a witty manner which highlighted the ridiculousness of the topic, yet also made it relatable. What is your favorite quote from each story? My favorite quote from the first story is “These days, when a teen storms into his room and slams the door, he doesn’t scream “I hate you!” from the other side. He texts it.” I like this quote because it reminded me how my mom has recently been texting me in all caps to clean my room. My ...

Which profiles did you consider? I considered the profiles on: Hector Zuniga titled "He came, saw and debated" and Alice Payne titled "Alice helps create a wonderland". Why did this profile stand out over the others? The profile on Hector Zuniga stood out to me because I am interested in speech and debate. The profile on Alice Payne stood out to me because it was accompanied by a picture of a rainbow flag, a sign of LGBTQ pride. I was interested in learning more about the LGBTQ community. Why did the lead draw you into the story? The lead in the article about Hector Zuniga stated that he had placed in the top 4 in a speech and debate competition. His success in an activity I enjoy made me interested in reading further. The lead drew me into the story because I wanted to know more about how she changed her community by creating an LGBTQ club. What's the focus of the story? The story about Hector Zuniga focused on his academic journey, highli...

Many of us have chucked our plastic containers and old electronics into trash bins and carelessly walked away, failing to realize that matter can not be destroyed, and waste is no exception. Kate O’Neill, professor of environmental science policy and management at Berkeley and author of the book “Waste”, told “Fresh Air’s” host Terry Gross of NPR, that people need to think more holistically about their waste. “It’s not something again we throw out and someone takes away and deals with,” O’Neill said. “All of these, many waste, particularly waste that are goods in a sense, have an afterlife.” O’Neill mentions that sewage has an afterlife as fertilizer, promoting Gross to discuss the global economy behind waste, encouraging frugal usage of plastics and electronics for long-term economical and international benefits. “To study waste provides a window into all aspects of society and its politics,” O’Neill said. “Everybody has a story about waste, but we can also see when waste pile...

Two huge dimples bulge at the corners of his enormous mouth.  His thin black eyebrows are often hidden by his large eyelids.  A rusty blue sailor hat sits on top of his head, contrasting his bright blue eyes which twinkle with trust and optimism.  He wiggles his spaghetti-like arms in a dance move that amuses his audience.  Many do not mind that he reeks of grease and salt because he constantly whistles upbeat and catchy tunes.  Though his squeaky, nasally voice offers a silly and childish persona, he is rather well-dressed.  He sports a white collared shirt, brown pants, and black oxfords which complement his belt.  Even with an abnormally long nose and three eyelashes, he is able to befriend a variety of individuals in his community. His thin legs jump for joy as he blows a bubble.  Two buck teeth protrude from his gleaming smile, making others contagious with laughter.  Being a man with many thea...

Verve Anais Nin's Preface inTropic of Cancer by Henry Miller "But there is also a wild extravagance, a mad gaiety, a verve, a gusto, at times almost a delirium."  - noun; virgo and spirit or enthusiasm Gatsby's parties were always teaming with verve and hysteria.  Vestiture Anais Nin's Preface in Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller "The poetic is discovered by stripping away the vestiture of art; by descending to what might be styled 'a pre-artistic level,' the durable skeleton of form which is hidden in the phenomena of disintegration reappears to be transfigured again in the changing flesh of emotion." - noun; something that covers the surface like a garment To uncover the truth about human nature, one must look beyond the vestiture of power and socially constructed apparatuses.  Potency Anais Nin's Preface in Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller "Here is an artist who re-establishes the potency of illusion by gaping at the open...

1. An orphan and valedictorian at Central High School won a $5 thousand scholarship to the State Institute of Technology. 2. A fire on Birch Drive destroyed a couple's home while they were away. 3. Two sticks of dynamite were found in a freshman's dorm at SJSU during a university inspection yesterday afternoon.

“Another Day of Sun” is the opening song in the musical La La Land that will always have a place in my heart for its magical, lyrical captivation of inspiring endless beauty and spiritual conviction in the face of anxiety and disappointment. The first time I heard this song I was a disillusioned senior in high school dealing with family pressure and a bad breakup. College was right around the corner which made me so unsure about my future and the choices I have made. During that time, my parents were pushing me to study business finance or nursing - academics they felt would offer lucrative career paths. I didn’t want this at all. I wanted to chase my dream as an artist. Another Day of Sun was an anthem that channeled my anxiety about my artistic aspirations into certainty, ambition, and perseverance. The song was extremely empowering because it echoed and embraced my ways of coloring the world with hopeful idealism, muse, and tenacity. It branded daydreaming not as an...

Myriad - noun; a countless or extremely great number We were appalled by the myriad of trash left on the beach after Labor’s Day. - adjective; having innumerable aspects The myriad problems surrounding global warming need our attention. Innocuous - adjective; harmless or not offensive Though it was bright green with yellow stripes, the snake was innocuous. Feign - verb; pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury) To avoid jumping jacks, Little Benny feigned a heart attack. Temerity -noun; excessive confidence or reckless contempt of danger Bad boys that ride motorcycles and smoke always exert an aura of temerity that is surprisingly attractive. Affront - noun; a deliberate offense, insult Trump’s comments was an affront to the community. - transitive verb; to insult especially to the face by behavior or language, to face in defiance Recent laws about abortion affront women all over the world. Acquiesce - transitive verb; to accept or comply passiv...