Social Media’s Isolating
Nature
Campus Comfort
Mocktails
To-Go: Leave ose Cocktails Behind
but I was never really interested in pursuing something that had to do with writing. I even worked at a dental office
has been a lot to say the least. As Miranda Priestly once
Kennedy Mayo Social Media Manager | @kennedymayo_
The way we watch TV has changed significantly over the years. Streaming services liberate you from the constraints of having to wait for your favorite show to air or sitting through commercials by offering instant access to thousands of shows, movies and sports. They put the power of choice in your hands and free you from the traditional TV schedule.
Streaming services empower you to take control of your viewing experience by offering diverse options, personalized viewing experiences and the freedom to watch anytime. With these benefits, the question remains: Is it time to cut the cord, or does cable still have a place in our living rooms?
Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ offer a more affordable alternative to cable. According to NerdWallet, the average cost for a DVR can range from $100 to $200, depending on the provider and package. In contrast, streaming services have monthly fees ranging from $5 to $20, making them a financially savvy choice for many, especially for college students.
Jasmine Rihal, a second year communications major at San José State University, shared childhood memories of watching Disney Channel.
“I would always say cable because, growing up, everything was on that—all the shows on Disney Channel—so I feel like it is very nostalgic. But now that streaming is so big and becoming more affordable for people, it makes more sense to use streaming services,” Rihal said.
Rihal said that Hulu + Live TV is a cost-effective option that provides more value. She said how streaming platforms like Netflix are expanding their content offerings to include sports events and behind-the-scenes documentaries.
“Netflix recently streamed the Christmas game and produced a behind-the-scenes documentary featuring football players, like in the Starting Five series,” Rihal said. “These shows and stories allow them to do other things on streaming platforms.”
However, streaming services are not as cheap as they seem. The cost could add up to a cable bill if you subscribe to multiple streaming services.
According to NorthJersey, the basic plan for Netflix with ads is $6.99 monthly. Disney+ is available for $7.99 with ads. Hulu + Live TV provides live channels and on-demand content for $76.99 monthly.
As people continue to purchase different services, the prices increase.
Traditionally, sports have been a cornerstone of cable television, with significant leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB dominating the scene. However, in recent years, these leagues have been making major shifts. Streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ have secured exclusive broadcasting rights to key sports games.
Amazon Prime Video is now the home of Thursday Night Football. Apple TV+ will host MLB, while Paramount and Peacock will host Premier League and NFL games. Sports fans should be aware of this significant shift in sports broadcasting.
While the shift from cable to streaming service has been efficient, some SJSU students have different opinions.
Maniah Pickett, a second-year business major at SJSU, said streaming beats cable TV because of its efficiency.
“Streaming is the best thing that has happened because I can watch my show, rewind it and return to whatever I was watching. I also enjoy the lack of ads,”Pickett said.
Pickett also has a distaste for sports being on different platforms.
“I enjoy having games on streaming services; however, I don’t like that different games will be on different platforms. For example, the Olympics were the biggest because I had to get a Peacock account to watch them. For some Warriors games, I had to get an HBO Max account to watch them, which I hate,” Pickett said.
Jasira Johnson, a second-year pre-nursing major at SJSU, is not a fan of ads and the pricing of streaming services.
“Honestly, I don’t like cable or streaming services because cable is so annoying and has too many ads and streaming services are starting to get expensive,” Johnson said.
Johnson said she had enough streaming services and wished it was easier to get regular TV without all the add-ons.
Cable TV or streaming services depend on your preferences and lifestyle. Cable TV offers live television with various channels while streaming services offer affordable, on-demand and convenient television. Consider your viewing preferences and choose the option that best suits your needs.
“I just wish it wasn’t a money game and I could watch streaming without paying extra money to have no ads or to get a premium version of the service. The point of streaming services was to be better than cable and honestly, they just feel about the same,” Johnson said.
“I just wish it wasn’t a money game and I could watch without paing extra money.”
Jasira Johnson Pre-nursing Sophomore
Bursting with flavor while imitating the notes of cocktails, mocktails are the new ‘it drink’ that bartenders are pouring up for their customers.
With bars offering a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, the rising demand for mocktails is raising questions about what’s causing the sudden shift in interest, according to bartenders, Gen Z and millennials.
Jason Martinez, a bartender at a San José-based bar named Guildhouse, said how his customers are often a mix of millennials and Gen Z whose interest in mocktails have increased.
“Some of the most popular mocktails I’ve made are Shirley Temples and Arnold Palmers. I see the customers walking around with it while they’re playing board games or gaming on our computers,” Martinez said.
Shirley Temples are loved for their bright red, orange and yellow colors with a mixture of soda and grenadine syrup, while Arnold Palmers are a mix of lemonade and sweet iced tea.
“It’s interesting because I notice the younger customers often ask me what drinks are less sweet or if I could adjust recipes to make them not as sweet or even without alcohol,” Martinez said.
Mocktails are rapidly gaining popularity thanks to Gen Z’s interests in expanding health-conscious and budget-friendly drink options, according to sensory scientist Deborah Wong and the Food Institute.
“It’s a very positive thing that Gen Z’s open to a broader range of flavors, not that they don’t object as much to slight bitterness,” Wong said.
Additionally, Wong mentioned a similar pattern when she observed students’ preferences in her classes between the ages of 21 and 26. They were more inclined to bring in differing tasting palates that may reflect lighter aromas of sweetness in foods and beverages compared to their older peers which she suggested may come from cultures that don’t highlight sugars as a main ingredient in their dishes and drinks.
Ninh Hoang, a psychology sophomore at San José State University, said that she drinks in moderation and socially.
“I’m not against those who drink and those who don’t,” Hoang said. “I sometimes want drinks that don’t have alcohol or too much syrup, but the options are limited.”
On Guildhouse’s menu, 10% of their menu is made of mocktail options. This small presence of mocktail options on bar menus is reflective of most American bar’s selection for mocktails, which is approximately 10% to 20%, according to a Statista report.
Hoang noticed that the bars she visits have vast menus, but she worries that not all options for flavors in mocktails will be a hit depending on different demographics’ flavor palates.
“When you look at the prices of mocktails, they’re comparable to that of an alcoholic drink, which makes me inclined to buy the cocktail
more since I don’t want to pay for something that I can make at home,” Hoang said.
When looking over Guildhouse’s drink options, a hibiscus lemonade mocktail will run a customer $7 while the average cocktail price is listed at $12.
According to Wong, bars have one goal regardless of whether they offer a broader selection in non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages. “They’re just broadening their portfolio of products. They’re just adding more skews - it’s just revenue.”
Hoang also believes in the same ideology. Mocktails that are sold at certain bars she has visited do not have enough complexity or volume in their drinks to justify their worth in their high selling price.
“I like to make mocktails in my apartment with my girlfriends when they come over. I think it’s fun to romanticize an activity without being under the influence,” Hoang said.
She believes other students are turning to mocktails for similar reasons and are selecting a matcha latte over a traditional coffee or drip coffee.
On one hand, “Many people see trends on social media that advertise the benefi ts of limiting things like sugar, caffeine intake, calories and other things like that – which is great,” Hoang said.
On the other hand, Wong does not support industries that overprocess ingredients and resources that may negatively impact consumers’ gut microbiome. Some ingredients that can cause sensitivity include mint, citrus and
magnesium powder that induces gastrointestinal pain and reflux.
She said that the growing trend among health-conscious consumers is to not only look for products that are labeled as ‘healthy’, but also to check the list of ingredients and what they contain.
Popular ingredients used to create mocktails include fresh fruits, fruit juice, herbs, spices and sparkling water, according to a Yale article.
As for students who abstain from alcohol during college, 28% of college students account for the percentage, according to a Cleveland Research Clinic study. Yuki Zagal, a biology student at San José State University, is part of this population.
Zagal abstains from drinking because she experiences drastic side effects due to her genetics. On top of a long recovery period, drinking aggravates symptoms that other people may not suffer as drastically from, which includes bloating and flushing.
“I stopped drinking because I realized I don’t need to put myself through it just because I have friends that go out with that don’t pass judgment if I do or don’t,” Zagal said.
Outside of bars and pubs, Zagal believes that restaurants should be more conscientious of customers who may want variety in non-alcoholic beverages.
“If you want to try to drink alcohol and you’ve never had it but you want to try - there’s no real pain in trying it,” Zagal said. “Just because your friends drink, it doesn’t mean you have to either.”
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I like to make mocktails in my apartment with my girlfriends when they come over. I think it’s fun to romanticize an activity without being under the influence.
Ninh Hoang Psychology Sophomore
Alejandra Gallo Content Editor
Gen Z is taking self-care into their own hands and saying goodbye to overpriced salons. Some Gen Z college students are embracing this change.
College students who constantly balance classes, work and important commitments have long prioritized self-care routines to maintain a well-put image. But with Gen Z, the approach has changed. Now it’s more appealing to do self-care activities—such as doing their own nails, eyebrows, hair and eyelashes—at home rather than at a salon.
What’s especially noteworthy about this generation is their preference to partake in self-care activities at home over visiting a salon like other generations. The answer comes down to two simple reasons: doing these maintenance activities at home is cheaper and more convenient for their specific needs.
“Doing these maintenance activities at home is cheaper and more convenient for their specific needs.”
Alejandra Gallo Content Editor
Jeffrey Navarrete, a fourth-year business student at San José State University, routinely takes care of himself at home. “I really enjoy doing my hair and it’s become more of a ritual for me,” Navarrete said. “I want to present myself well because I feel that the effort you put into yourself does exude confidence and that shows in your day-to-day activities.”
Navarrete styles and dyes his hair at home often, tweezes his eyebrows instead of getting them threaded and takes special care of his skin with his skin care routine.
Self-care activities promote physical, emotional and social well-being and play an important role in maintaining your mental health, according to the National Institute of Mental Health web page.
Navarrete, like many other students his age, prioritized self-care routine to be a constant in his life. These activities bring confidence to
younger people and allow them to save money by doing it at home.
“I limited going out to have my eyebrows threaded because of the cost of spending $20-30 every couple of weeks when I could buy a $2 razor at Target and do it myself every couple of days,” Navarrete said.
College students in California worry about expenses such as tuition, food, transportation, books and other supplies, according to a California Student Aid Commission survey from Nov. 15, 2022.
Kendel Jean, director of case management at SJSU Cares, said Gen Z college students have a hard time making ends meet. “It has been diffi cult for students to afford their basic needs,” Jean said. “Even if students accept loans, they might still have diffi culty meeting their needs as the cost of living in many places around the country has signifi cantly increased throughout the years.”
Students living on campus at SJSU spent an estimated $19,866 on food and housing expenses during the 2023-2024 school year, according to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics. Those living off campus spent an estimated $19,431, according to the same report.
Zahit Navas, a second-year student at the City College of San Francisco, skips the barber shop and takes care of his hair and facial hair at home to avoid the cost and the interactions.
“I think that for younger people it may be hard to talk to others one-on-one and that’s one reason why some prefer to take care of themselves at home rather than at a barber shop,” Navas said. “Also, guys tend to be very picky with how they want their hair to look and it’s hard to fi nd someone who will do it exactly the way you want. So it’s always safer to do it at home.”
Gen Z is different from previous generations because they mostly interact with others on social media and behind a screen.
Kristen Cole, a psychology professor at SJSU said that Gen Z has different communication
patterns. “Gen Z, for example, is not the first generation that includes people who prefer to avoid social interaction. There are certainly more resources available today that facilitate different kinds of interaction that don’t necessarily have to be face-to-face. It might be that Gen Z is utilizing these resources at higher rates than other generations.” Cole said.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected Gen Z because it made them one of the most isolated and lonely generations, according to an AXIOS article from Feb. 17, 2024.
“It’s easy to feel anxiety over having to sit with a person for 20 minutes to an hour if you’re getting your hair done or something,” Navas said. “That’s why I prefer to stay at home and take self-care into my own hands—it’s cheaper, too.”
Gen Z is full of plenty of surprises. Now, doing self-care at home is a new twist that this generation has adopted.
Diego Macaraeg Content Editor | @diego.myeggo
Imagine this, you’re just a few clicks away from hundreds of online connections, yet across college campuses in the United States, loneliness is quietly settling in. If you have ever felt disconnected amid the constant stream of social media, you’re not alone.
Despite the illusion of endless connections, many young adults find themselves battling isolation—a phenomenon that the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, recognized as a public health crisis in 2023. This paradox highlights the disconnect between online and real-life relationships.
For Azharia Butler, a third-year psychology major at San José State University and transfer student from South Carolina, the transition to San José has been one road bump after another. Facing cultural adjustments and struggling to form friendships, Butler said she is navigating a whole new world on her own.
“It’s a big difference, the town I was growing up in was fairly small,” Butler said. “People here have their own established lives and friendships.”
Regardless of her best efforts, posting on the SJSU Sammy app, planning hangouts and even directly approaching peers, she often feels discouraged when it doesn’t lead to genuine relationships.
“Social media plays a big part in getting to talk to new people, but as far as meeting these people in real life and sticking with that person, it hasn’t proven successful for me yet,” Butler said.
According to Dr. Karin Jeffery, a psychology lecturer at SJSU, Butler’s experience reflects a broader issue with digital interactions.
“If social media gives the illusion of connectedness, but not the reality, loneliness will be the result,” Dr. Jeffery said. “Feeling like ‘no one could be lonely with so many friends on social media’ just makes it worse.”
“If social media gives the illusion of connectedness, but not the reality, loneliness will be the result.”
Dr. Karin Jeffery Psychology Lecturer
Dr. Jeffery emphasized the importance of quality over quantity in social connections. She said that while having hundreds or thousands of online connections might make some feel they shouldn’t be lonely, a lack of meaningful interactions—even on social media—can leave people without the deeper connection they need.
The issue is heightened by the rise of abrupt communication cutoffs, commonly known as “ghosting.” A recent survey by the Thriving Center of Psych found that 84% of Gen Z respondents said they had been ghosted at least once, underlining how prevalent and hurtful this behavior has become.
Butler has experienced this firsthand.“It’s easier to ghost people when you know there’s very low chances of seeing them in the street,” Butler said.
Christopher B. Gonzalez, a first-year business finance student at SJSU, said modern college life is a constant juggling act.
“Being busy, it’s hard to find time to meet with people,” Gonzalez said. “Without social media, I wouldn’t be able to interact with as many people.”
Although there is the convenience of online relations, Gonzalez ultimately craves authentic face-to-face interactions.
“I prefer in-person because it feels more genuine,” Gonzalez said. “Don’t be afraid to meet new people and be true to yourself.”
A Harvard article on the loneliness epidemic supports this perspective, suggesting that the quality of our interactions—not just the quantity—adds meaning to our lives. However, social media’s meticulous design can make developing genuine connections even more difficult than forming them in person.
“Social media often makes it harder to reach out, not easier,” Dr. Jeffery said. “The perfectly curated lives of our social media connections can make it very awkward and embarrassing to admit that your life isn’t that perfect.”
Graduate student Justin Nguyen, who is working
toward his teaching credential at SJSU, said the demands of school and work leave little room for socializing.
“I legit go to school, go to the gym, take classes if I need to, and then go to Guadalupe Park and pet cats and then go home,” Nguyen said.
Like many students, Nguyen found that online interactions don’t necessarily translate to meaningful relationships.
“Out of the 800 followers I have, I talk to maybe 20, and the rest I don’t even really know,” Nguyen said.
Dr. Manel Palos-Pons, assistant professor of journalism and mass communications at SJSU, said the media plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions of social connection.
“Culture, including popular culture like music, movies, television shows and games, needs to provide interesting discussions about social media, especially on how problematic it can be today in its delivery of a constant flow of information that is not of high quality at all,” Palos-Pons said.
He said the addictive design of platforms, apps and other digital products encourage addiction, leading individuals to stay glued to their phones instead of spending time with friends or engaging with their communities.
According to a Harrisburg University study called “A Study into How Screen Time Impacts College Students,” U.S. college students may spend an average of 8 to 10 hours per day using a smartphone.
Nguyen has felt the isolating pull of digital distractions.
“There was a point where I would do all my work, then just rot in bed and play Monster Hunter,” Nguyen said.
From doom scrolling to gaming and binge-watching, these modern habits can amplify loneliness rather than alleviate it. Doom
scrolling is the habit of endlessly browsing negative news or distressing content online, often worsening feelings of anxiety and loneliness.
“I feel a lot lonelier now,” Nguyen said.
Beyond individual struggles, these experiences reflect a larger societal issue. The Harvard article on the loneliness epidemic suggests that the tools designed to bring us together often replace meaningful conversations with superficial interactions.
However, there is hope for improving the quality of our social connections. Butler said taking the first step can make all the difference.
“To put it bluntly, get out of your head. Many people are wanting to talk to you, and they just don’t know how,” Butler said. “You can be that person to start that conversation, and it’ll probably lead somewhere.”
It is the people’s responsibility to take the initiative in building genuine relationships—both online and in real life. Every small effort to connect can contribute to a more fulfilling and less isolated community.
Sarah Mosteller Copy Editor
As San José State University’s campus fills up with students in sleek leggings and plush sweatpants, it’s clear that comfort isn’t just a trend; it’s become a lifestyle. Brands like Lululemon and Alo Yoga have become household names and the once niche market of athleisure has evolved into a mainstream style.
Making its way from yoga studios to dorm rooms and classrooms, the trend isn’t just about comfort but also status, self-expression and a lifestyle that prioritizes wellness. As college students continue to embrace this “luxury comfort,” the question of what’s driving this trend and why it shows no signs of fading remains.
San José State University business analytics sophomore and content creator, Zoie King, embraces this new fashion trend. “The biggest appeal is a mix of both comfort and style,” King said. “The sets come in so many cute colors and designs that keep students looking very fashionable but also are super comfy.”
Students walking around campus often see their peers wearing contoured jackets, yoga pants and matching sets from familiar high-end loungewear brands like Lululemon, Skims and Alo Yoga. Each season introduces a new color palette or silhouette that people are eager to get their hands on. It isn’t about how inventive these pieces are; simplicity seems to be the key.
Fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen discussed the psychological impact of clothing in her book Dress Your Best Life. “Clothing is not just about what we wear, it’s about how we feel, how we express ourselves and how others perceive us,” she said. “It shapes our mindset, our emotional state and our confidence.”
The price tag for a matching set from high-end brands can easily top $200 and a simple jacket or pair of leggings can go for $100 or more. Though the price may seem over the top for many, the allure of these brands lies not just in their high quality fabrics and designs, but in what they are selling to customers: an identity.
Karen said students consciously or unconsciously align themselves with the messages and identities these brands convey. “What you wear is, above all, a choice- even if it’s one you don’t realize you are making,” Karen said.
Brenda Fellows, a clinical and social psychologist and professor at UC Berkeley, said that the desire to wear these brands goes beyond fashion and is more about visibility. “People are drawn to these brands not just for the quality, but for the identity they represent,” Fellows said. “There’s a deep need to be seen, to be part of something bigger.”
Social media plays a huge role in pushing loungewear to the forefront of fashion. Celebrities, influencers and reality TV stars like Kim Kardashian have embraced Lululemon and their followings are quick to mimic their looks.
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 73% of teens use YouTube daily, with 15% using the app almost constantly. About 60% use TikTok daily, and around 50% visit Instagram and Snapchat daily, with 10% on each almost constantly. This kind of engagement means that trends are spreading quickly, with influencers significantly shaping the buying habits of their followers.
As observed by Fellows, loungewear is also appealing for college students because of how it functions in their lives. Unlike traditional outfits that are often reserved for specific occasions, loungewear is versatile and can be worn both inside and outside. “I personally wear a lot of
Lululemon!” King said. “I do hot yoga and am constantly on the go between brand meetings, work and classes, so the sets keep me looking together when I don’t have time to plan an outfit.”
This multifunctionality makes the investment feel more justified, especially for students who want to get the most out of their money.
“Expensive loungewear is worn outside of the home, which makes it worth the money because it has a dual purpose,” Fellows said. “You can wear it inside to relax and you can wear it outside for errands, class or socializing.”
SJSU engineering sophomore Ma’Nia Tidwell, sees things a bit differently. “I like Nike the most because I’m an athlete, but I don’t buy it just to wear it regularly,” she said.
For Tidwell, athletic wear isn’t about showing off or fitting into a trend, it’s more about function. “I don’t want to walk around in leggings or a tight shirt. I actually want to get dressed, not just throw on another pair of leggings,” Tidwell said.
The entire fashion market is shifting toward comfort, sustainability and versatility. The COVID-19 pandemic played a big role in changing how people view clothing because of remote jobs, classes and constantly being at home. There was a psychological shift toward comfort, according to Fellows, and now, as we transition to the endemic phase, people want to keep that same comfort in their everyday lives.
So, what’s next? Fellows foresees loungewear will continue to thrive and evolve, at least through the 2030s. “It’s more than just about marketing or the younger generations,” Fellows said. “People are seeking comfort, sustainability, and a sense of individuality. These desires are deeply embedded in the fashion industry and loungewear aligns perfectly with this shift.”
The digital world never stays still. What was cutting-edge yesterday might be outdated today. The trends that drive gaming, technology and media continue to evolve at breakneck speed. From AI-powered game designs to the fall of once-dominant streaming giants, the landscape is shifting in ways that redefine how we play, connect and consume entertainment. Staff Writer Shuran Luo talks to graduates about what’s in and what’s out this season.
Sunny Sun Real Estate Agent
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Graduated 2020
What is your gaming experience?
“The new game I was introduced to last year was Black Myth: Wukong, which tells the story of Wukong to the world in the context of classical Chinese lore combined with martial arts specials. I’ve played many games in the past, with long stretches of Warcraft and Counter-Strike as a kid. I’m an average gamer, so I generally chase the popular games.”
Mena Lense Optician, Lenscrafter
Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
Graduated 2022
What’s your gaming experience?
“My biggest hobby is playing soccer, so I spend my gaming life on the PlayStation. The first game I played was FIFA ‘08, and when I was a kid, I also played Football Manager. I have a lot of fun playing soccer-related games even if these are small games on a website. Now I have less time to play games, but I still buy FIFA games every year. The most recent purchase was FIFA 2025.”
Robert William Social Study Teacher
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic School Bachelor of Education
Graduated 2020
What is the most recent event in science that you feel has impacted you the most?
“I see the aerospace field changing. Space travel for the average person is slowly becoming a reality. I have seen news reports that the cost of man made spacecraft is decreasing year after year and so is the cost of launching them. In the future, the average citizen will have the opportunity to fly up and see the universe. The success of SpaceX in lowering the cost of space transportation with reusable rockets is cool.”
Amber Marie Retailer
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Graduating 2025
What high-tech product do you feel has hit you the hardest lately?
“The most obvious feeling I have is the arrival of the artificial intelligence era. Instead of searching Google directly, I browse the answers on ChatGPT, especially when searching for complicated questions. The most obvious thing to me is the popularity of EV cars and AI. The things that are fading away for me are gas cars and the traditional search engines.”
Mohab Hashish Editor, at Hearst Media Production Group Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations in Advertising
Graduated 2021
What do you think is the biggest change in movies?
“What’s changed in movies is that there are many movies with female protagonists such as last year’s Barbie and Emma Stone’s Poor Things. Not only did they make a lot of money at the box office, but they also won the best picture awards. The content of movies is more current than ever before. For example, the main characters use real artificial intelligence and they also discuss current wars and past epidemics. This is unique to this era.”
Jo Park US Army Student Trainee
Temple University Bachelor of Statistical Finance Graduated 2019
How have your video-watching habits changed?
“When I was a kid I had to remember when each show was on. Sesame Street on PBS was my favorite show when I was a kid. I needed to watch it after school until 4 p.m. every day to catch the latest episode. In the meantime, I had to put up with long commercials. Now that I subscribe to Netflix and Disney plus, I do most of my viewing on streaming. I can come back and forth to watch any show I like. I think streaming is really more convenient now compared to traditional media and network TV is more in line with my lifestyle.”
With this shift farther toward the right, there may also be a shift in younger people aligning with right-wing ideals. Traditionally, younger voters are associated with liberal, left-leaning viewpoints. According to the Pew Research Center, 66% of voters age 18-24 years old align with democrats, but some have recently flipped the switch.
Nevaeh Drummer, a second-year music student at San José State University, is an example of the change in the viewpoints of young voters.
“I was a liberal for eight years and then I switched over last year in July to being conservative,” Drummer said. “If you look at the election in general, I think conservatism has kind of come back”.
Drummer is not the only young voter who favors the right. Jordan Robinson, a third-year aerospace engineering student at San José State University, has recently become involved in politics as well. He believes that there is a rise in conservative and right-leaning college students because they are unhappy with the ways things are going on their campuses. Robinson said.
“We are just trying to find some way to make a living and not have to deal with all the sugar-coating and fluff that makes everyone happy,” he said. “We just want results.”
Kashani said the rise of the right is due to concerns many people share. “All these legitimate grievances have been hijacked by the far-right, rather than addressing the real issues—climate change, environment, economy and so on.”
In recent years, the number of people getting their news from social media and other non-traditional forms of media may be rising. With the rise in social media use, podcasts, and content creation, among other forms of media, Gen Z has been able to voice their opinions more than ever before.
Drummer and Robinson both say they get their news from traditional and non-traditional outlets. They both switch from broadcast news channels, news sites, social media, and YouTubers. Robinson said that social media can be a great place to get an unbiased perspective.
“Social media provides a way to get unbiased information—many news outlets are biased,” Robinson said.
As for Drummer, she found her way to the right by listening to some popular political YouTubers. “When you research on your own and go on YouTube—a platform anyone can use—you see all these trending conservative YouTubers like Candace Owens, Brandon Tatum, Amir Odom, and Blaire White,” Drummer said.
While social media can be seen as a way to get a diverse range of opinions, Kashani argues that the way social media is designed and how posts get on your feed does not ensure that. “There are these algorithms that feed these things to people and there are plenty of other things out there but they only get these things,” Kashani said.
Larry Gerston, a political science emeritus professor at San José State University , said it is too early to tell if there is a shift to the right.
“In my business, we are reluctant to really put the stamp of change in place because we have to see over time how these things work out,” Gerston said. He said it will take many elections to confirm if the U.S. is experiencing a shift to the right ideology.
The recent 2024 election has brought a plethora of different ideas into question. No matter what side one may fall on, America’s political landscape is changing. Whether we are experiencing a shift to conservatism, the far-right, or republicanism, only time will tell.
Based on Forbes, majority of workplaces that focused on DEI initiatives could see positive outcomes like employee retention rates and problem solving .
Jazmin Rios, a 21-year-old forensic science student at San José State University, said no one should face workplace discrimination because of their ethnic background.
“This country is thriving off of what we buy, and yet they still decide to terminate their DEI policies for employees. It’s a statement to the immigrants, people with disabilities, veterans and others that they do not care about this portion of society,” Rios said.
The dismissal of DEI has imposed changes to jobs including current terminations that can cause a raise in unemployment, according to Forbes.
Rios firmly believes in prioritizing fair treatment for all employees and emphasized DEI values regardless of its active or inactive status.
“It gives me uncertainty and makes me wonder—why am I continuing an education that eventually will not support the values I believe in or support me as a human,” Rios said.
Dr. Jackson urged college students to take an active stance in their education to secure a financially stable and mentally fulfilling job.
“Explore those options, because those skills that you’re learning—particularly in disciplines where we take a critical lens,” Dr. Jackson said.
According to Time Magazine, big corporations such as META, Target, Amazon and Walmart have decided to remove DEI regulations from their workplaces.
As of the beginning of January McDonalds has come to a conclusion that while inclusivity has been part of their core value they would be taking a step back and modifying it to more of a business approach.
Following their announcement of change, Rios and other Gen Z students have been boycotting these department stores. Gen Z students hope
to gain the stores’ attention by impacting their revenue.
Rios believes the dismissal of DEI policies from department stores reflects a disregard for employees’ basic human rights.
Indya Simmons, a 22-year-old from Georgia, shared her immediate reaction to learning about the updated regulations.
“Target, a store I once loved, has redacted its involvement in DEI,” Simmons said. “It’s confusing why companies are doing this. It shows that they truly never cared.”
Other implications that can come from eliminating DEI includes elimination of inclusion within the community, increase in discrimination and workplace biases which can impact employees’ retention rates , according to Forbes.
Ali Kahani, a political science professor at SJSU, said past movements such as The Feminist, Black Lives Matter, labor union and the Civil Rights Movement set up a discourse for change in the Constitution and its policies.
“Social movements are the driving force for protecting things in the Constitution and furthering policies,” Kahani said. “Otherwise, there is no guarantee.”
Simmons hesitated in her response, when reflecting on the future of her career in the medical field.
“A bit skeptical as I will be going into the medical fi eld as a black woman. I fear there will be no diversity in the workplace and different pay grades due to gender and race”, Simmons states.
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