One of the most powerful sentiments I’ve heard about the changing times with the COVID pandemic is that with times of global transition like this comes a broader conversation of what the world will be like after that change has come. Currently, deep, meaningful conversations such as this have led to protests, worker shortages, and one of the most important debates, in my opinion – over workers’ rights. This past year has led to a great number of employees going on strike, suc

Web Photo Charity, donations, volunteering, etc. – there’s honestly no way to get around it: You are selling your plasma, for “compensation,” monetary aid, reward, etc. The companies are giving you money for your plasma. There’s not a single person that denies the usefulness of blood plasma for treating many illnesses and yet, we still cannot wrap our brains around how morally dubious it seems that you are selling a part of you. But it is time for us to admit to ourselves tha

Web Photo On June 5, 2017, 20-year-old Ashley Heavyrunner Loring sent messages to friends looking for a ride to town from her family’s ranch on the Blackfeet Reservation of Montana. As she waited for a friend to arrive, she packed some clothes and said goodbye to her family, then quickly went out the door and hopped in a car. Later that night, a video was posted on social media of a party, showing her chatting on a couch full of people. That was the last night Ashley Heavyrun

Web Photo On Saturday, Sept. 18, the Justice for January 6th (or, “Justice for J6”) rally took place outside the Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C.. Some influential figures, such as former President Donald Trump, expressed solidarity from afar leading up to the rally. Its purpose was, according to its organizer Matt Braynard in the announcement statement published the day prior, “in support of those who have been charged with non-violent offenses (in) protestof their dispar

Kayla Brown holds one of her delicious sweets. Photos by Fletcher Wold. The pandemic surely changed life as we know it this past year, especially the impact on local businesses, particularly restaurants and eateries. Showing my grandma, who lives in Mexico, around Portland was one of my highlights. But one regret I have is not taking her to my favorite bakery: Sugar Cubed Cakes. I remember when I first spotted this bakery, walking in downtown Gresham a few years back. I belie

By now it’s a well-known fact that the United States stands out among the developed world as the nation that does not guarantee healthcare to its citizens. Most Americans agree that something needs to be done about our healthcare system, with its ever-rising costs. So why haven’t we done anything about it yet? Well, there are many complex reasons: Chiefly, healthcare is a very messy business. And this truth applies everywhere in the world. It’s safe to say that should America

In America, 1 of 3 people have lost a loved one to COVID-19. The unmeasurable feeling of loss has been universal since the initial outbreak swept the globe and has shifted our relationship with the outside world. The first coronavirus case in the U.S. was declared on the last day of February 2020. Not long after, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued a statewide lockdown, closing the doors to all public gatherings and services to reduce the spread of the virus. Consequently, the effe

I wanted to reach out about a recent article published in The Advocate titled “The Ending of the Pandemic Year and its Great Political Dividing.” While I normally appreciate The Advocate and reading fellow student opinions, I was truly disappointed by this article. I found it to be divisive in its language, and was surprised that it seemed to encourage disrespect, stating “It is humiliating to suggest that one must confront these opinions with actual respect.” I believe that

Everyone and everything has a story, whether we really know the tale or not – though some know it better than others. A story that has always caught my eye has been the Black Lives Matter movement, including how and why it began and what it truly stands for, not as the media tries to portray it. Graphic by Hannah Hart|The Advocate. Let’s set the stage: It’s the year 2012, and 17-year-old Black boy was shot dead on the 26th of February. He was walking home from a 7/11 store in

The 20s mark one of the most diverse stages in most people’s lives. Some 20-somethings have never been in relationships, while others are getting married. Some are in college; others went straight to work. Some of us are just in the beginning of our careers and others, far more advanced. Melody posing next to her work area. Then there are those among us that have already become their own boss, charging headfirst as young entrepreneurs. Many people choose not to pursue the ent

Photo provided by Nathaniel Lile. Graduation is upon us, and for those of you graduating from MHCC, we commend you. Seriously, you deserve a medal, or at the very least an official sticker, for getting through this pandemic with a degree! This year’s graduating students will face something quite out of the ordinary during Mt. Hood’s 54th commencement, to be held from about 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 12. Under ongoing COVID pandemic restrictions, new graduates are i

Web Photo. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to take up a case regarding abortion, which could have major effect on the famous Roe v. Wade decision of 1973. Justices will hear the case named Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, No. 19- 1392 (regarding legislation approved in Mississippi) and are expected to rule within the next year. This is something that could be a profoundly good step in the right direction for this country, or it could lead to further tragedy. T

Web Graphic. At last, an end in sight: As the pandemic year appears to be coming to a close soon enough (practically entirely thanks to mass vaccination), one cannot escape the instinct to take stock of all that was lost and found during months on end of excruciating, collective suffering. At the least over half a million Americans have left our lives forever, taken by a disease entirely unknown to the general public a mere couple years ago. So, too, it seems our already flic

Web Photo. If you didn’t already know, Pride Month is here! It may look different this year, but it is still a time of celebration, coming together as one, and mourning those we have lost. In the past, throughout the month of June I would attend pride parades. I got the opportunity to see people of all ethnicities, shapes, and sizes come together and celebrate in their own way, and just be happy as one, and honestly, it was beautiful. I still remember my first pride parade an

Web Photo. Lately in the news there have been many reports about deadly events involving the use of guns. As a result, people are, not surprisingly, calling for more gun control. This view, in and of itself, is a huge fallacy. I am baffled by the fact that the people who want to see gun control cannot seem to understand that guns don’t have brains, they aren’t sentient. Guns are a tool, and as such they require an operator, just like any other tool. I have never seen a gun ta

Web Photo I’m sure you have all seen the news, seen the names on social media and have mixed feelings. Some of you may feel these deaths are justified for reasons or opinions of your own, but a lot of you are most likely like me: Horrified and angered by this ever-growing list, yet not surprised, because this isn’t a new story– just another new name and a new face, because police shootings/police brutality are nothing new. I want to lightly address a topic that’s split right

Web Graphic. Over the last year, our way of learning at Mt. Hood has changed completely. I remember when we first started remote learning; I was a little nervous, as I had never taken online classes before. Now that I’ve been attending classes online for about a year, it’s definitely given me a different perspective on school and learning, overall. I believe there are certainly benefits to online classes in some ways but there are also challenges. The drawbacks include not be

Web Graphic. Permanent solutions are possible for Portland’s increasing homeless crisis. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic The Homelessness and Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program (HUCIRP) reported between 40 to 60 campsite removals per week in the city. After the onset of the pandemic in 2020 these sweeps performed by HUCIRP have been much less frequent, at a number closer to three times a week. Halting these sweeps has highlighted Portland’s homeless crisis. The increase in

Web Photo. Well-known children’s author Beverly Cleary died on March 25, at age 104. The Oregon native will forever be remembered, as she was an inspiration to many. Born on April 12, 1916, in McMinnville, Cleary penned the Ramona Quimby book series, introducing the namesake Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, Ralph S. Mouse, and countless memorable characters. I’ve loved her works since I was in elementary school; her stories always made me feel at home. A couple of my favorites a

Web Graphic. There is no artwork that could ever truly exist in isolation. In fact, perhaps it is mostly a work’s deep, inherent connection to the world within which it was born that gives it the ability to compel a response as much as it may. But never has the world been entirely free from flaw. If a work is to be understood at least in part relative to the artist, with each being inseparable from their environment, then their prejudices must be inevitably confronted, as wel