In The News: Department of Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies
On Wednesday, May 30, Kim Kardashian went to the White House to campaign for the early release of Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old woman serving a life sentence in federal prison for a drug-related crime committed over two decades ago. The next day, the president indeed announced plans for a pardon, just for someone else. On Thursday, Trump pardoned Dinesh D'Souza, the right-wing figure famous for his frequent appearances on Fox News and his reputation for being a provocative political commentator.
As images of college graduates walking across that stage in their caps and gowns have dominated our social media feeds over the last few weeks, you might have noticed a trend that鈥檚 taking off. Their graduation caps 鈥 those mortarboards sitting on top of their heads 鈥 are decorated.
For college students across the country, commencement formally marks the transition from student to graduate.
On May 20, the Magic Wand vibrator, formerly known as the Hitachi Magic Wand, turns 50 years old, marking a milestone in the history of the sexual revolution. The Magic Wand鈥檚 popularity has only increased since its 1968 inception, and unlike an orgasm, its rising action doesn鈥檛 end.
Express yourself.
For the children of immigrants, receiving a college degree can be a huge milestone in their larger family story.
Graduating college students have long expressed their individuality by decorating their graduation caps with slogans and artwork, but a 性视界传媒 professor says the themes have gotten more political in recent years.
性视界传媒 associate professor Sheila Bock has been researching how and why students decorate their caps and says the themes over the years have become increasingly political.
The black letters contrast sharply with the graduation cap鈥檚 red fabric. They spell: 鈥淰uela tan alto como puedas sin olvidar de donde vienes.鈥
In the midst of the official pomp and circumstance, more and more graduates are adding a personal touch: They鈥檒l decorate their graduation caps, also known as mortarboards.
Graduation caps decorated to celebrate accomplishment but also promote political messages.
性视界传媒 professor and folklorist Sheila Bock studies trends behind graduation caps.