TikTok has developed a culture of promoting trends that seemingly uplift women’s voices. It is hard to find a woman’s post without “#girl____” in the description. Ansley Kang SC ‘29 sees something in common with all these feminine hashtags: Reductiveness. Feminist trends in attempting to make modern womanhood accessible, do more harm than good, flattening women’s experiences and in doing so excluding those voices that true feminism should promote.
Tag: TikTok
OPINION: Under media oligarchy, TikTok isn’t the problem
TikTok is far from popular, and as Trump cozies up with the app’s CEO, it’s easy to accept its ban. However, Nicole Teh SC ’27 argues that its unique position to enact social change proves TikTok’s defensibility, and its removal might only exacerbate the perceived ills. The only way to fix its faults is with education.
OPINION: Why date what you hate?
Individuality in relationships is important, and if a partner is crossing boundaries, it could be time to reexamine your relationship’s future. However, you shouldn’t whack him with anything. TikTok’s ihatemybf trend, although seemingly ironic and oxymoronic, reinforces these toxic relationship dynamics. Ansley Kang SC ‘29 underscores how the rhetoric of this trend is more farce than feminism.
Not just a sports legend: How Lebron James is changing the masculinity game
Mac Kelley PZ ’25 thinks Lebron James is, without a doubt, the greatest basketball player of all time (more controversially, maybe the best athlete of all time). Kelley has witnessed a kind of admiration amongst sports fans online that transcends this GOAT status.
OPINION: You are not TikTok’s Mother Theresa
We find our generation inundated by an Abrahamic flood of media and accessibility. This may seem like a moment of cultural flux, of boundless upward growth, but hubris has gotten to us.
Xavier Callan PO ’28 argues that since anyone can relentlessly make their opinion on any subject known, and every opinion is automatically deified as a piece of media by fact of existing on the internet, these stupid opinions are becoming a part of daily discourse. Callan warns us to be careful when we step onto our digital pulpits, posting honorably without falling victim to cycles of regurgitation, self-reference and remembering that we are not all career cultural critics.
Test your knowledge on Claremont’s TikTok trivia pop-up
KnowledgedOfficial has become a mainstay at Pomona College since 2022, offering trivia challenges with cash prizes outside Smith Campus Center (SCC) every Friday. Founded by Daniel Hernandez and Michelle Beltran in 2021, the game show gives students a chance to win cash prizes by answering questions based on their knowledge of popular movies, TV shows and pop culture.
OPINION: Get canceled
If Kim does it, so can we: Tania Azhang PZ ’25 and Adam Akins PZ ’27 invite you to state your opinions and claim your voice in spite the fear of being canceled.
Claremont Core: Fashion TikTok at the 5Cs
For fashion columnist Gus Gingrich, TikTok has become an unavoidable fixture of fashion. Gingrich reflects on 5C fashion, and whether TikTok has had a major impact on students’ style.
OPINION: First-year FOMO feels unavoidable, but you’re not alone
Reckoning with FOMO during first-year orientation week can feel impossible. But don’t worry! You’re not alone, writes Michelle Zhang PO ’27.
Abbie on Aux: How Leith Ross’ pen stands out amongst a generation of skilled lyricists
You may recognize Leith Ross’s angelic voice from their timid TikTok teases, but their skilled lyricism and ability to tackle difficult topics sets them apart from other Gen Z wordsmiths, argues music columnist Abbie Bobeck.