Stories

Decorum. Courtesy. Togetherness. Students have used these standards as the foundation to build the Greek system that is prevelent across U.S. colleges and universities. But as fraternities and sororities have blossomed, these ideals have been lost on many campuses due to hazing, vandalism and drug abuse. On Oct. 24, 2014, California State University, Northridge, shut down all activities that relate to Greek...

Wake up on the street, pack up all belongings, bathe in a public bathroom sink, attempt to find something to eat; for more than 50,000 homeless Los Angeles residents, these tasks make up a typical morning. For Ally and Eddie Posyananda, this morning routine is just one of the many reminders they are using as fuel to get them...

Napur Kumar is 23 years old, and is considering settling down. She has tried online dating, but says, "Sometimes I would come across men that would use me to the advantage of getting a green card, and it was just weird." Nupur is willing to let her mother, Vandana Kumar,  do some of the searching for her. If she goes that route, she'll...

The blaring cheers of female Japanese pop stars on screen blanket the constant humming chatter inside Anime Jungle. It has just struck noon when scores of fresh-faced youths pack the spacious Downtown Los Angeles shop. Among the ranks—hidden beneath a silken aquamarine wig styled into a bob—is Dolores Stewart. Squatting in front of the section of manga comics labeled “A”,...

The steady hum of treadmills fill the Los Angeles Pierce College weight room, broken up by the sharp metal clang of weights and the occasional grunts of those standing in front of the mirrors running along the walls from floor to ceiling. In the sea of machines and bodies, Sean Oliver is easy to spot. His well-defined physique...

Behind the black curtain of Bar One in the San Fernando Valley that keeps her hidden from the crowd, Lola Chan changes from conservative clothing she wore entering the club to her lacy and seductive costume that will be revealed to the waiting patrons. The sound of anticipation grows as the entertainment is about to begin. The lights dim...

In today’s society more and more people are adopting an organic lifestyle. Some people believe it is a healthier option and others think the practice helps the environment. To be called organic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that the food meets strict standards. The USDA regulates how the food is grown, handled and processed. “It takes 3-5 years for...

There is a societal expectation of what we are supposed to look like and what is “normal.” But what if, since before birth, a person’s appearance has been genetically set? Dwarfism is an inherited genetic deviation. This gene can cause a person to be of short stature with shorter limbs. One in every 10,000 births will be diagnosed with...

Trinidad Gomez is adorned with a pink and purple wig, lavender wings, horns and low top classic black and white Converse shoes. Gomez, a 28-year-old Mexican-American transgender who identifies as a female, credits her self-discovery and happiness to the freedom and acceptance she found in the Brony community. “I recently came out as transgender,” Gomez says. “My friends have been very...