What can we learn from a provocative film aimed to challenge the audience’s perception on sex and social orders? Leslie Tong PO ’29 delved into the film “Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom” on its central theme of moral deprivation in a modern society. With the humanization of every prevalent feature that constructs a society, we humans embarked on a suspiciously voluntary journey in internalizing disciplines that enforced morality on our conscious behaviors. The result is obvious — our unconscious rejection and avoidance in facing our imperfect desires.
Tag: Shixiao Yu
Rooted and Restless: Sleepwalking through stigma
Rochelle Lu shares her experience navigating insomnia and the stigma of mental health throughout her childhood in China and now here in Claremont. Lu faced relentless challenges as she sought relief, whether it was doubting critics or inaccessible wellness resources — chasing sleep felt like a never ending nightmare. Lu emphasizes the intersectionality of her struggles as an international student, explaining how the added stress of managing familial relations abroad paired with the sudden introduction to a new culture inherently impacts one’s wellness.
Inscriptions: A place of my own (kind of)
What makes a place truly one’s own? Liam Riley PO ‘26 paints us a picture with the help of Michael Pollan’s collection of essays, “A Place of My Own.” Inspired by Pollan’s efforts to construct a writing shack in his backyard, Riley embarked on a journey to transform his buddy’s old van into a livable camper. Here, he recounts the “heres” and “theres” of his experience, underscoring that every attempt to make something independently your own will unwaveringly require the support of those in your corner.