Study Breaks - Page 419 of 447 - Fresh perspectives on pop culture from students across the United States.

In an article about LGBTQ+ owned brands, a woman in a white shirt with rainbow stripes

LGBTQ+ Owned Brands To Support During Pride Month and All Year Long

From underwear to makeup to clothing to candles, these five companies offer year-round shopping opportunities that support the queer community.

Katherine Brand, University of Michigan

Illustration by Ellen Budell of two individuals participating in a Trust Exercise

Pages

‘Trust Exercise’ Takes a Worthwhile Risk With Unlikable Characters

Susan Choi's novel defies conventional wisdom about fiction and intentionally creates characters that are hard to relate to — making a unique, compelling read in the process.

Starr Shapiro, Columbia University

Thoughts

The Return of 2000s Aesthetics Is Unsurprising in an Age of Uncertainty

The era of Britney Spears and Juicy Couture is back, and it's a perfect complement to the social turmoil being experienced by Generation Z.

McKenna Uzelac, Columbia University

Screens

Ali Wong Breaks Down Stereotypes One Joke at a Time

By focusing on inequities and double standards in gender, race, relationships and family, this standup is proving herself to be one of the most timely comedic voices today.

Ailun Shi, UC Berkeley

Thoughts

Why I No Longer Call Myself ‘Vegan’ Even Though I Still Eat Plant-Based

After five years, I took a step back from the sometimes overly judgmental and strict community.

Audrey Martin, Boston University

Pages

‘How We Fight For Our Lives’ Gracefully Conveys the Human Experience

Saeed Jones' memoir is an honest and striking coming-of-age story about the Black queer experience and fighting to become yourself.

Renee Cantor, University of Pittsburgh

Person opening up the TikTok app on a phone

Sounds

The Origin of 14 of the Most Popular Sounds on TikTok

The video-sharing app uses a variety of different types of sounds and phrases, but just where exactly did these catchy snippets come from?

Hannah Docter-Loeb, Wesleyan University

Thoughts

The Exclusion of South Asians From a Broader Asian Identity Has To End

Western society has generalized the people of Asia for too long, and effectively erased South Asians, their culture and their unique experiences.

Farah Javed, CUNY Baruch College

In an article about movies to watch for Pride Month, an illustration by Yao Jian of a rabbit with rainbow glasses in a movie theater with popcorn

Screens

5 Movies and TV Shows To Cap Off Pride Month From Your Couch

It isn’t safe to host parades and parties this year, but that doesn’t mean you can't enjoy some LGBTQ pride in your living room.

Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

Screens

The Purported Queerness of SpongeBob, and Why It’s Important

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? A gay sponge, according to Twitter speculation. The ocean eccentric is helping to normalize the LGBT community on TV.

Luke Gair, Sewanee: The University of the South