On April 3, UCLA Professor of History James L. Gelvin gave a lecture titled “The Conflict in Gaza: A Historian’s View” at Pitzer College’s Benson Auditorium where he examined the historical roots and current dynamics of Israel’s ongoing siege of Gaza.
Author: Dylan Zulueta
Allison Murphy talks friendship, virtue and Aristotle
On Mar. 21 at Pomona College’s Pearsons Hall, Carleton College Assistant Professor Allison Murphy discussed Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics,” focusing on the concept of eudaimonia (human flourishing) and its relation to friendship. Unlike conventional views of friendship based on intimacy or loyalty, Aristotle proposes a partnership model where friends unite in the pursuit of shared goals, especially in virtuous activities.
Between life and death: The transcendent theater of ‘Everybody’
“Everybody,” a play directed by Fran de Leon, ran for six shows at Seaver Theater from Feb. 29 to March 3. The play explored mortality and its relationship with universal human concepts through a lottery system where actors drew roles live, adding unpredictability to each performance. The narrative delved into Everybody’s journey as they interacted with personifications of Friendship, Kinship, Cousin, and Stuff, highlighting the transient nature of relationships and material possessions in the face of death.
Amazon Labor Union President Chris Smalls, 5C union leaders speak on labor activism at ‘Americonned’ screening
The documentary “Americonned” screened at Pomona’s Rose Hills Theater on Feb. 29. Following the screening, a panel featuring Amazon Labor Union president and documentary subject Chris Smalls, director Sean Claffey and two local union organizers, Pomona dining hall worker Rolando Araiza and Pitzer dining hall worker José Ochoa, discussed workers’ rights and labor activism at the 5Cs and beyond. The documentary discusses Smalls’ success in establishing a grassroots movement and unionizing Amazon workers, fighting against a smear campaign and union-busting efforts from company executives. Smalls’ journey was situated in a broader context of income inequality.
New Yorker tote bags at the 5Cs: Symbolic or functional?
The New Yorker tote bag is ubiquitous at the 5Cs. The tote, offered exclusively to subscribers of the New Yorker magazine, is a phenomenon unto itself. Many students cite the tote as a primary reason for subscribing to the magazine, while others searched the online resale market. Many believe the tote has transcended its original function due to its signage value: the bag signals that its owner is well-read and cultured.
Student panel discusses annual Pomona sustainability report
On Feb. 7, Evelyn Mineo PO ’25 and Katie Chao PO ’25 led a student panel centered on the 2023 Sustainable Action / Visible Effects (SAVE) report, highlighting the college’s strides and challenges toward 2030 carbon neutrality. Mineo and Chao were two of the three summer interns who created the report. Key points included a significant increase in transportation emissions and struggles surrounding sustainability in dining services. They emphasized the influence of student demand on sustainable practices.
Check and chat: Claremont Chess Club Tournament creates community
In Pomona College’s Clark I Courtyard on Jan. 26, students played in the Claremont Chess Club Tournament, the club’s first official tournament in four years. Organized by Eleonore Viatte PO ’24 and Kabir Kothari PO ’24, the tournament was a collaboration between the Claremont chess club and Pomona North Campus resident advisors.
We are all ‘Anon(ymous)’: The power of representation in Pomona’s final show of the semester
Blue light rippled across a pile of clothes, creating ocean waves on the stage of Pomona College’s Seaver Theater. Anon(ymous), a play directed by Sylvia Cervantes Blush, ran for six shows from November 16 to 18 on the mainstage at Seaver Theater. Adapted from Homer’s “The Odyssey”, it tells the story of a refugee finding his way back to his mom after they were separated by a storm during the journey to the United States.
Jia Tolentino on navigating joy and transcendence
Jia Tolentino spoke with Kevin Dettmar, director of the Humanities studio, at Pomona College’s Rose Hills Theater on Nov. 9 as part of the ongoing Joy Speaker Series. Tolentino delved into her evolving perspectives on joy, from ecstasy to quieter, simpler joy which she found in motherhood. She spoke about her complicated relationship with organized religion, experiences with transcendence and the intertwining of joy and sorrow. The talk concluded with an exploration of the unknown, as Tolentino emphasized the beauty and significance found in moments of mortality.
Radical Roots: Pitzer exhibit celebrates history of student organizing
Standing in Skandera Hall at Pitzer College on Oct. 19, Professor of Political Studies Nigel Boyle welcomed students to the college’s newest exhibit from the archives. The exhibit is the third in a series that commemorates and celebrates Pitzer’s “Radical Roots.” Focusing on Pitzer’s rich history of activism between the 1960s to ’70s.