CT seniors say farewell
Dylan Hostetter, Executive Editor As a transfer student, I have only spent two years of my life at VCU. While looking back on that time in anticipation to graduate, the past two years feel less like 16 classes taken and instead more like 16 months at The Commonwealth Times. I can say with the utmost […]
What the $HAWK rugpull scandal tells us about the U.S. economy
Andrew Milhorn, Contributing Writer Hailey Welch is America’s post-modern, post-meaning sweetheart, also known as “The Hawk Tuah Girl.” The story of “Hawk Tuah,” “Talk Tuah” and Hawk Tuah Coin lay bare the contradictions at the heart of our failing economic system. More importantly, her story helps to explain how, in a post-capitalist economy, those contradictions […]
Course evaluations: Student success or customer satisfaction?
Natalie McEwan, Opinions and Humor Editor My true feelings about course evaluations popped into my head the last time I went to Walmart for groceries. After I paid, the card screen showed a little pop-up with five stars. How was I supposed to rate a checkout? Why did it matter? Apparently, it was directly tied […]
Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” and Afro-surrealism
Arrick Wilson, Photo Editor Afro-surrealism “Get Out.” “Atlanta.” “They Cloned Tyrone.” What do these films all have in common? They are all films and series that fall under the genre of Afro-surrealism. In simpler terms, Afro-surrealism films capture real Black life with hints of dreamlike, extraordinary, bizarre juxtapositions, which in turn equals a deeper meaning […]
Generative AI is a symptom, not the problem
Natalie McEwan, Opinions and Humor Editor I remember the first time I heard about ChatGPT. It was my first semester at VCU, after I got my first midterm essay back. I was elated to get an A+. When I visited my hometown, I excitedly shared the news with my friends. “Thanks ChatGPT,” one friend said […]
Smut is soulless and I can’t believe people pay money for it
Maya Sunderraj, Contributing Writer If I said to you that authors and publishers need to do better, what would you say? If I said that the authors I’m calling out are mainly women, how would you feel? I feel conflicted. I used to believe I had a broad taste in reading; I used to judge […]
There’s more to Smithsonian than the Natural History Museum
Carleigh Lacroix, Contributing Writer Don’t get me wrong, The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a fantastic museum. For those of us who grew up with fixations on dinosaurs, mummies or all things creepy-crawly, the Natural History Museum was the place to be. However, this means that when you grow older and plan a […]
Why is a woman’s sexuality so controversial?
Jalyn Thomas, Contributing Writer One thing that has stayed consistent throughout society is how women’s sexuality is viewed. Unlike men’s sexuality, it is always talked about. Whether it’s about how it shouldn’t be judged or when others are judging it, it’s unfortunately always in the spotlight. Sabrina Carpenter, a pop star who is open about […]
Spring semester slump
Lauren Prattis, Audience Editor Spring has finally sprung. The sun no longer sets at four p.m., the Richmond trees are in bloom and college students everywhere — myself included — feel like there is no end in sight. After asking a few of my friends if they feel the same way, I have decided to […]
‘Barbie feminism’ isn’t going to save us
Katie Meeker, Contributing Writer If you were a part of the miserable cohort of people who turned on the news on March 4, then I’m sure you’re familiar with the dull, fanatically disconcerting event that was President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address. While most of the broadcast focused on the slumped form […]