President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated a continuous assault on university life, the First Amendment, student journalism and civil rights just 86 days into his term. Our papers — the Michigan Daily, the Grand Valley Lanthorn and the Ferris State Torch — have witnessed the onslaught to varying degrees in our own backyards. As journalists and students, we are watching an attack on the rights of our peers with a simultaneous shift to cowardice by university administrations. This is not just happening in Michigan, but across the entire country. 

Following a summer of protests and the violent removal of a pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Michigan, there has been a retaliation from the highest office in the country. After the federal government dangled $400 million of federal funding in their faces, Columbia administrators agreed to ban protesting students from wearing face masks, hire additional security personnel and review the school’s Middle Eastern studies department. These concessions are taking place on varying scales across the country, with the University of Maine serving as another example. To win back funding, the institution announced it will not allow trans women to compete in women’s sports.

When students enroll in school, they do so under the assumption their university will look out for them. That assumption has been proven wrong. Universities are failing to deliver for their students, as administrators have prioritized their pocketbooks over the security of their students. 

Student journalists and activist groups have warned that the values defining higher education are under attack. As diversity, equity and inclusion programs come under assault, immigration officers descend upon our campuses and LGBTQ+ protections are stripped away, our schools have either stood in silence or actively fallen in line with the president’s demands, and in the process, our universities have been pulled from under us.

In a shameful move, U-M announced campus-wide cuts to DEI initiatives through the closure of both its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Office of Health, Equity and Inclusion. The Wall Street Journal reports that University of Michigan President Santa Ono is “ready to play ball with Trump’s Washington.” He’s not the only one. 

At Grand Valley State University, students and faculty have expressed concern over a lack of communication about campus immigration and customs enforcement guidelines. In March, GVSU administration altered and cut language in the university’s harassment policy to fall in line with the most recent federal court rulings, which reverted Title IX policies back to those of the first Trump administration.

For Ferris State University, a lack of student protests has seemingly equated to little to no concerns about federal crackdowns. However, we argue that it’s a safe bet that members of targeted communities are most likely living with fear. At the very least, we think our universities should be affirming the safety of students who have drawn the ire of the federal government. 

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the visas of current and former U-M, GVSU and Central Michigan University students. Places of higher education have a duty to protect students, whether that be from ICE arrests, the federal government’s gutting of resources for marginalized students or the erasure of scholarship and curricula. However, none of our schools have appropriately safeguarded students from the federal government’s harm.

Following the detainment of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student who wrote a pro-Palestine op-ed in her school’s newspaper, Tufts’ president issued a statement of support for Ozturk and called for her release. We applaud the actions being taken by Tufts University and feel higher-ed administrations nationwide should be exerting the same strength to shield their students from Trump’s grip.

Just this week, Harvard refused to capitulate to the Trump administration’s demands, saying the university is “not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration.” We believe that Harvard’s stance should be replicated by other universities, yet we also acknowledge the school’s hand in repressing pro-Palestine activists. While not all higher-ed institutions are private like Harvard, the protection of students should be universal. 

At the moment, we don’t feel our institutions would stand up and speak out. We’ve seen our administrations quickly cave to the pressure of both the Trump administration and wealthy benefactors time and time again. Above all, university officials appear to be more worried about their finances than the communities they are meant to serve.

Our papers cover these issues in order to help students parse through the hectic media landscape. In most cases, university leadership either briefly responds through email or flat out declines to comment. Administrators should be engaging in communication with student reporters during this difficult time. We feel as if instead of supporting their students, many higher-ed officials are cowardly hiding being a wall of vague and ambiguous policy. 

As journalists, we feel a responsibility to amplify campus voices, and as scholars ourselves, we’re imploring our administrations to safeguard students from harm’s way and preserve freedom of expression. It’s up to students and university community members to continue speaking out and advocating for the future they want to see on their campuses — a space free of repression and oppression — in Michigan and beyond.

Cheap nostalgia: Disney live-action renditions lack fresh interpretations

Within the past decade, there has been an increase in the production of live-action remakes of many beloved animated films. Disney is by far the largest contributor in this phenomenon, as they appear to be working through their collection of classic animations, most recently debuting the live action “Snow White,” released last month.

Disney has the ability to revamp stories because the company is not the creator of the tales they showcase, many of which are based in folklore. While we understand the immersive appeal of live-action movies, there seems to be a level of halfhearted handiwork on Disney’s part. Many of these live-action remakes include changes that aren’t really significant enough to bring a fresh or interesting take to the source material. Rather than watching a well-coordinated adaptation of animated films or an experimental take, viewers are left with recycled remakes that don’t respect their source material.

In our view, Disney doesn’t seem able to consistently churn out films that are either innovative or thoughtful in their retellings. This dilemma results in remakes that feel like a cheap attempt to appeal to nostalgia rather than create renditions or expand on beloved fairy tales. It’s our view that Disney should be more intentional with their remakes instead of throwing in unnecessary additives. We believe Disney should honor original films with quality shot-for-shot remakes or clearly offer consistent, fresh renditions in an effort to not muddle people’s perceptions of beloved tales.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Political polarization leads Kendrick Lamar halftime critiques

Shortly after sweeping the Grammys with the diss track “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans for the most-viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show in history. This wasn’t Lamar’s first time performing at the Super Bowl— he appeared alongside Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem during the 2022 Super Bowl, which marked the first halftime show to focus entirely on hip-hop. With guests including SZA, Mustard, Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams, Lamar used his performance to make a statement; against Drake, of course, but also about greater themes of patriotism and political division.

Jackson, who served as a narrator through the performance, was decked out in a patriotic suit, and personified Uncle Sam. As the Root reported, “Uncle Sam was supposed to represent the ‘sanitized’ America. The America that makes most of the Super Bowl viewers comfortable.”

The show was filled with symbolism, with dancers on the main stage dressed head-to-toe in red, white and blue. During the opening notes of Lamar’s 2017 hit “HUMBLE,” the dancers arranged to form an American flag. The choreography continued, and the flag formation split down the middle, which we see as symbolizing the division within our current political system.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Brat or not brat: “We’re bumpin’ that”

Ranking No. 3 on the Billboard music charts, the album “brat” by Charli xcx is more than the soundtrack to our summer. After “brat” released on June 7, the chaotic, high energy album became a viral sensation, and has transformed into an aesthetic and lifestyle trend called “brat summer. Brat summer has swarmed social media and truly took on a life of its own. We are certainly “bumpin’ that.”

One of the trends associated with “Brat” is its lime green album cover– the new color of the summer. The color has had an impact similar to the aesthetic trends of last summer’s blockbuster movie release, “Barbie.”

The singer has defined brat summer as an aesthetic for messy and rebellious party girls to embrace a lifestyle of being your perfectly imperfect self. The trend has been deemed by the general public as an opposite of the “clean girl” aesthetic of 2022, which popularized a groomed and filtered version of femininity. Here at the Lanthorn, we think this acceptance of a real and sometimes messy lifestyle is “so Julia.”

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Columns

Ranking every Michigan record store I’ve visited

Since starting my music collection in 2018, visiting record stores has become one of my favorite activities– whether that be shopping with friends or my dad, who’s also restarted his own collection. I’ve made a habit of stopping at shops while on mini-vacations or driving through new towns. That being said, I’ve taken the time to rank all of the 13 stores in Michigan that have had me flipping through vinyl. A majority of the shops I’ve ranked are located in West Michigan, however there are a couple exceptions. My list is, in-part, determined by both my preferred selection and the type of shopping experience I enjoy most.

To read more of Hailey Hentz’s column, click here.

Written rivalry: What the Anchor-Bone Classic means to our newspapers

When talking about rivalries in sports, there are plenty of options. Michigan and Michigan State or Michigan and Ohio State are easy answers for Michiganders. Those aren’t the rivalries the Torch and the Lanthorn have the honor of covering.

Our small, midwestern newspapers get to say that we cover the Anchor Bone Classic. It’s built into the DNA of Bulldogs and Lakers to have the date of the Grand Valley and Ferris game circled, either mentally or physically.

Every fall, the Lanthorn releases an article about the Grand Valley versus Ferris game– an article that encapsulates the antagonism and excitement that repeats with unfaltering intensity. With a corresponding photo on the newspaper’s cover, the yearly edition arguably represents school spirit and what it means to “be a Laker” better than any of our editions.

In pages divided up between the latest news, club features and individual Lakers’ columns, pride for Grand Valley normally takes many forms. But when it comes to the edition highlighting the rivalry game, devotion to school spirit is in one substantial place, taking the form of a two-page blue, black, and white compilation.

To read more of Hailey Hentz and Dylan Rider’s column, click here.

Beyond ceasefire: Advocating against apartheid is a continued fight

More than 471 days since Oct. 7, 2023, the day so many of us have been asking for, praying for and demanding, has finally come to pass. A ceasefire has successfully been brokered between Israel and Hamas, ending the former’s genocidal slaughter of the Gaza Strip. For many, and certainly myself, this is cause for celebration. We’ve witnessed war crimes unlike anything our generation has ever seen broadcast daily on our devices. After over a year, we can finally look forward to an imminent ending of the terror and a relative return to “normal.” However, I must urge you to look at what this “normal” entails. While the bombing may stop, we still must continue to advocate for the Palestinian people.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

GV administration should protect students from Trump’s agenda

Like other students at Grand Valley State University, I have become increasingly anxious about the state of America following the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Monday, Jan. 20. The inauguration was notably attended by wealthy tech executives and several high-ranking politicians from both parties. The occasion was also filled with much of the hyper-nationalistic rhetoric we have come to expect from Trump, who declared that America would “pursue (its) manifest destiny into the stars.” While the speech captured many people’s attention, it was Trump’s actions soon after that became the main cause of alarm.

Within hours of entering office, Trump began a wave of executive orders and plans, including, but not limited to, the pardoning of all involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a requirement that all federal employees stop working remotely and even a rename of the Gulf Of Mexico to the “Gulf Of America.” Most concerning, however, are Trump’s attacks on immigration and diversity.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

Reducing financial burdens could improve the college experience

Being broke is a common stereotype for us college students. In most cases, this stereotype reigns true with many of us living paycheck to paycheck and feeling the constant stress of finances. I believe that without the extremely high cost of course materials, housing and tuition we wouldn’t be in such a bad situation. I feel that almost all things related to college should be more affordable.

High costs of university expenses cause major stress and anxiety. Nearly every four-year student has some kind of debt stacked up before the end of their college experience. If the cost of college and materials were cheaper, I think the number of students with debt would be drastically decreased. I can attest to the anxiety that having future debt gives students.

I personally worry about my future and the financial burden my student debt might cause me. Students worry not only about debt, but also semester bills they don’t take out loans for. I’ve had friends cry over expenses and wonder how they’re going to pay. Not every student has the benefit of financial aid– they have to pay their bills immediately. While many students do barely manage to pay, there’s still a large number of students who end up dropping out because they cannot afford the cost of college.

To read more of Gabrielle Ray’s column, click here.

I have been attending a Lenten book study at church and we’ve been reading “A Faith of Many Rooms” by Debie Thomas. This week’s discussion centered around paradoxes in the Christian faith and paradoxes in our daily lives. There was intense discussion around how to “live into” accepting many perspectives, approaching folks fundamentally different than ourselves and finding joy in those with whom we might vehemently disagree. After class, I read the Holland Sentinel article “Rhodea, Miedema respond to Joe Moss letter to GVSU,” and thought about all of the paradoxes in the article.

Commissioner Joe Moss attended an anti-transgender event at GVSU carrying a gun in his belt, in violation of GVSU policy around weapons on campus. After the event, Moss (District 5) sent a letter to GVSU President Philomena Mantella on county letterhead expressing demands “to protect the safety and civil rights of (the) individuals” who visit GVSU, and to comply with recent federal executive orders. In total, he requests the school “take all necessary steps to shut down” DEI initiatives, discontinue “segregated graduation celebrations,” recognize “biological reality and the differences between men and women” and add concealed carry exemptions “for peace officers and (licensed individuals).” Mr. Moss chose to use county letterhead as the vehicle for his demands, implying county policy and perspective. Subsequent to Mr. Moss’ letter, Commissioners Sylvia Rhodea and Allison Miedema sent letters to GVSU with similar language on letterhead.

County residents expressed concern over misuse of official county communications methods. Commissioners Moss, Rhodea and Miedema were expressing personal opinions – not county policy. The County Commission has no responsibility for policy, procedure or curriculum at GVSU; yet the commissioners saw fit to express their personal opinions on letterhead. Why? These commissioners frequently lecture on First Amendment rights to speech and protest, yet feel it necessary to throw additional weight around via their elected status. Paradoxical.

At the Planning & Policy Committee meeting Thursday, April 10, Mrs. Rhodea dismissed the letters as a “non-issue,” saying the board was “getting all worked up over silliness” and “suffering from Moss Derangement Syndrome.” Interesting. Last time we heard about a “Derangement Syndrome” in Ottawa County it came from John Gibbs, former county administrator, hired by Moss and Rhodea, who coined the phrase “Ottawa Derangement Disorder” to describe anyone who questioned the actions of the Ottawa-Impact-majority-board from 2022-2024. Gibbs was fired after pointing out gross incompetence on the part of Kallman Legal and board members – was he suffering Moss Derangement Disorder? Or was it Ottawa Derangement Disorder? Or was he correct?

Mrs. Rhodea’s dismissive rhetoric around those who might question her actions is quite paradoxical. She was adamant in the last full board meeting that she was representing constituents in questioning several contracts the county enjoined; yet when constituents question her actions or the actions of Moss, they are suffering from mental illness? Seems paradoxical. When one resorts to the “calm down” response to an issue it is tantamount to admission of guilt. Mrs. Rhodea knows she was wrong to use letterhead. Admit the mistake and move on; deflection is cheap.

Moss, Rhodea and Miedema are elected commissioners in a democracy. All three have consistently dismissed questions from constituents and denigrated those that might be in opposition to any given position they hold. This level of disrespect and animosity toward the participation of the American public in political discourse is fundamentally opposed to their position as leaders in a democracy. I urge these commissioners to reflect on their attitudes towards constituents, especially those whom they represent despite policy disagreement.

Disney has the ability to revamp stories because the company is not the creator of the tales they showcase, many of which are based in folklore. While we understand the immersive appeal of live-action movies, there seems to be a level of halfhearted handiwork on Disney’s part. Many of these live-action remakes include changes that aren’t really significant enough to bring a fresh or interesting take to the source material. Rather than watching a well-coordinated adaptation of animated films or an experimental take, viewers are left with recycled remakes that don’t respect their source material.

In the context of “Snow White,” the film’s creators attempted to make creative changes, while simultaneously clutching Disney’s originally animated story. The film seemed eager to capitalize on the dwarves’ backstories, but each of their nuances weren’t apparent after their character introductions. Snow White was also saved by a new love interest instead of the prince. These are just some changes that make the film notably different from the original. However, such alterations don’t offer any creative liberties to the story of Snow White as a whole.

Following the film’s release, box office results revealed the film is underperforming, so much so that Disney paused their originally planned remake of 2010’s “Tangled.” This shows that in order to produce a well-received remake, films must be created in an extremely thoughtful manner, and Snow White fell flat on this.

While most of Disney’s live-action remakes have received backlash in some way, we observed their success when it comes to films that stay true to their original plots. For instance, although not a fairy tale, Disney’s 2019 “The Lion King” the 2017 “Beauty and the Beast” are the two top-grossing live-action remakes, according to box office results. In both films, we see the plot mimicking the original 1990s cartoons almost identically, giving new generations an updated graphic appeal and returning fans warm nostalgia.

We see the respectful replication of original storylines as the key factor that made these two remakes so successful. “The Lion King” kept the original characters and plot, updating the nostalgic cartoon style to a more realistic CGI. Disney even had returning voice actors from the original 1994 cartoon to keep the characters alive with realistic animals. “Beauty and the Beast” was praised for its casting, with the original voice actress of the 1991 Belle, Paige O’Hara, applauding the casting of Emma Watson. This film successfully transformed a classic cartoon into a visually stunning live action that immersed viewers into a magical world. 

However, Disney has also had success with bringing fresh twists to classic fairy tales. One shining example was the 2010 remake of “Alice in Wonderland.” Disney brought on Tim Burton to direct, whose signature aesthetic gave the already wacky world of Wonderland a visually provocative feel. Burton altered the plot to focus on Alice being more of a prophetic savior who rescues Wonderland from the Red Queen rather than keeping the whimsical “dream story” of the original 1951 cartoon. Burton’s darker take gives the story a fresh sense of edge and elevates Alice’s character from a “silly little girl” to a powerful heroine who literally slays a dragon. The remake serves as a perfect example of Disney taking a classic story and providing a fresh take that’s full of intention and purpose. 

In our view, Disney doesn’t seem able to consistently churn out films that are either innovative or thoughtful in their retellings. This dilemma results in remakes that feel like a cheap attempt to appeal to nostalgia rather than create renditions or expand on beloved fairy tales. It’s our view that Disney should be more intentional with their remakes instead of throwing in unnecessary additives. We believe Disney should honor original films with quality shot-for-shot remakes or clearly offer consistent, fresh renditions in an effort to not muddle people’s perceptions of beloved tales.

High costs of university expenses cause major stress and anxiety. Nearly every four-year student has some kind of debt stacked up before the end of their college experience. If the cost of college and materials were cheaper, I think the number of students with debt would be drastically decreased. I can attest to the anxiety that having future debt gives students.

I personally worry about my future and the financial burden my student debt might cause me. Students worry not only about debt, but also semester bills they don’t take out loans for. I’ve had friends cry over expenses and wonder how they’re going to pay. Not every student has the benefit of financial aid– they have to pay their bills immediately. While many students do barely manage to pay, there’s still a large number of students who end up dropping out because they cannot afford the cost of college. 

Without expenses for college students being lowered, talented students who earned their spot at their respective universities have to pack up and leave because they cannot afford extreme charges. Some students might not feel confident financially to apply for certain higher-ed institutions, meaning very talented individuals are discouraged to pursue academic goals they’ve dreamed of. By lowering the cost of tuition we could open up more opportunities for these students to pursue their academic prowess. In a perfect world, I’d even go as far as to argue that tuition should be free for all students who meet academic requirements and were accepted into a university. 

Without the cost of tuition students can have a better chance at focusing on their education. In my opinion, here at Grand Valley State University, housing is already packed to the brim. Most students who weren’t quick enough to secure housing for the following school year find themselves living off campus. The stress of having to pay rent and utilities is already damaging to students enough, but with added tuition on top of that, it’s even worse; however, even on-campus housing can be pricey.

To combat these financial struggles, some may suggest students work more to pay off debt and bills, but the reality is that sometimes this option is not applicable to everyone’s situation. Having time for a job can be a double-edged sword, as you’re able to make money but you might not have time for clubs or a full-time schedule. Dropping to anything lower than a full-time schedule can cause issues with financial aid, which would just cause more financial stress. Similarly, leaving activities can hurt a student’s resume or potential outreach opportunities. 

Getting a job may also be difficult due to limited opportunities. Students might find it difficult to secure an on-campus job due to the competitive nature of student employment. If you don’t want an on-campus job, going off campus can be difficult. GVSU is located in the small town of Allendale and finding jobs within a close range of the University can be difficult. Students usually have to travel to neighboring cities like Walker, Grand Rapids or Grandville to find jobs. Travel accessibility can be tough for students and those with a car may find traveling 20-50 minutes for a job to be troublesome. 

I think that lowering costs of tuition, housing, course materials and other college expenses would have a positive effect on students’ experiences and mental health. College is already difficult without the extra costs and it’d be helpful to give students one less thing to worry about.

For over 25 hours, breaking segregationist Strom Thurmond’s record, Booker railed against mass deportations, federal worker layoffs, the gutting of welfare programs and attacks on both trans rights and DEI initiatives that have been a staple of this administration. Many in the Democratic Party have celebrated Booker’s impressive feat, with many of his colleagues congratulating him as he broke Thurmond’s record.

More than anything, this action was symbolic, as Booker spoke passionately about his own experiences, as well as the legacy of John Lewis, a former congressman and prolific civil rights activist. The speech acted as a full-throated defense of policies and ideals the Trump administration has made its mission to destroy. 

As such, many Democrats have jumped at the opportunity to herald this speech as a rallying point for a party on life support. While, for the Democrats, this speech was a decent start at igniting a fire within the party, I would like to bring the perspective of someone who wants to not just fight against Trump, but all the systems and institutions that enabled and empowered him. 

Firstly, while Booker talked about many things during his speech, there was one, fairly large issue that seemed to have slipped his mind. At no point during his record-breaking speech did Booker care to bring up the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people by the settler-colonial Israeli state. While I commend him for rallying against the mass deportations, the fact that he never brought the same energy regarding one of the worst genocides ever perpetrated on this Earth can only be explained as willful ignorance or horrific apathy. 

I will not waste any time in arguing why Booker should be in support of Palestine, as I fundamentally do not believe there is any real persuasion anymore. The only truly moral stance is to demand an end to this genocide, especially when it pertains to the most horrific policies of the president he was speaking out against.

That being said, how can abolitionists and movement builders against oppressive systems view this speech, especially as it relates to creating the change we wish to see? In my view, this is honestly the type of “resistance” I would like to see from Democrats. 

While I would also love to see more attempts to actually disrupt the business of the Trump administration, I feel as though symbolic actions like this are probably the best we can ask for from Democrats while striving for lasting change. These acts can spur people to get active in resistance, while also remaining an arms-length away from actual activism. I would far prefer the moderate Democrats like Booker to remain at arms length from popular movements on the ground organizing against Trump.

Recall the George Floyd uprisings of 2020, where people around the country took to the streets demanding change to the violent, racist police forces across the country. Many Democrats were all too happy to jump to the lead of this movement, using it as a springboard for their own campaigns, leading to a blue wave across the government. However, the radical message of the movement was watered down to be palatable for an election and very few of the limited number of policing changes stuck, or even had any effect. When the dust of the movement settled, next to nothing was done to combat the issues in America’s policing system, resulting in more killings of Black people, such as Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids.

No matter how much resistance the Democratic Party puts up, only movements led by the working and oppressed people of this country will be able to not just defeat Trump, but salt the Earth to ensure a movement like his can never rise again. Fascism cannot be combated with progressive capitalism and reform, it must be combated with socialism and liberation. With the stakes so high, as democratic institutions crumble around us and markets sink as rapidly as our futures, we cannot afford cooptation and halfhearted resistance this time around.

We feel this year’s lineup boasts a much stronger program than last year’s festival, as many artists are award-winning and hold massive audience appeal. Nearly every headliner is in the upper echelon of the music industry, while the emerging artists are making waves in their own regard. However, this makes tickets highly coveted, despite their high prices that rise each year. 

Lollapalooza began as a traveling festival in 1991 as a farewell tour for the rock band Jane’s Addiction. From there, it became a space dedicated to showcasing countercultural punk and alternative cultures. Lollapalooza became an annual festival after Grant Park was made its home in 2005 and has returned almost every August since, evolving from its roots to feature pop, country, hip-hop and, in recent years, K-pop artists. 

This summer will see headlining artists like Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, TWICE and Sabrina Carpenter. Due to the festival’s more recent, packed lineup, it is undeniable the event has somewhat strayed from its original state of catering to a more niche audience. Despite this, we can’t help but be excited to see such widely recognized performers prepped for Lollapalooza.

This excitement is reiterated as, on average, 400,000 people attend the festival each year. People travel from all over the U.S. to experience Lollapalooza, which in 2023 was reportedly the third most popular music festival in the U.S. We believe the evolution of Lollapalooza’s audience is worthy of applause, while also acknowledging the genres that have been neglected in the process. Changing the festival’s image allows for a broad, welcoming culture to cultivate in Chicago.

This year, we are excited to see pop queens Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo headlining and representing women in the industry. TWICE will also be the first K-pop girl group to headline Lollapalooza, with male groups like TXT and Stray Kids having headlined in recent years. Additionally, we’re thrilled to see a new genre expansion, with Luke Combs serving as the first country artist to headline the festival. 

Lollapalooza’s ticket price has also evolved with its artistry. Tickets in the festival’s early years only cost around $31.50 for two-day admission. In 2025, general admission, four-day presale tickets started at $415. Ticket presale opened the morning of Thursday, March 20 with the intention of opening to the general public only an hour later. Unfortunately, four-day passes sold out before the general sale even began because early-bird fans and panic-buyers filled the queue.

While we recognize the steep price and the barriers created for those who cannot afford skyrocketing prices, we also view Lollapalooza as an investment to see a variety of admired artists. Unsurprisingly, the high cost of tickets is a deterrent for many, while other music fans are more than happy to spend hundreds of dollars to see a variety of their favorite artists. Regardless, this year’s program features massive stars from popular genres, making it clear Lollapalooza has immensely evolved and is cultivating a culture that celebrates a range of musical styles.

Due to the smaller and typically older audience of music I listen to, many fans believe older hits and genres are undeniably better than any current hits being produced. They tend to believe that older music is “real” music and that new-age music is hypersexualized, and only serves the purpose of promoting negative actions and behavior. While some current artists aren’t my favorite, I believe the critique of hypersexuality only existing in current music is flat-out hypocritical. Music in the majority of genres have rarely maintained a sense of purity. 

Most people consider “Oldies” music to be from the 1950s-1980s, and see these eras as more moralistic. However, the truth about these eras is that they spearheaded a more liberal approach to music. Take one of the largest stars of the late 1950s, Elvis Presley, for example. He was controversial during his time for his on-stage, sexual hip movements and provocative lyrics. Looking back, we see his stage presence as having only minor sexual themes. Yet, it was artists like Presley that cracked doors open for present-day expressions of sexuality.

I believe that by claiming music should only focus on modest themes, we are disrespecting those artists who introduced the idea of pushing the boundaries of societal norms about sexuality and liberal expression. This should be true for all genres, whether it be Oldies rock and roll or current rap and hip-hop. I find it ironic to try to categorize certain genres or eras of music as being too sexually explicit or deviant, or to stick your nose up at current, popular hits. In any art form and any era, you are going to have people who push the boundaries of norms.

Due to my personal taste, I don’t really like listening to current music in the pop, rap and hip-hop genres. However, I recognize the value of expression in those genres, as well as the artists I normally tune into. Not only that, but I completely support my friends who listen to new music, and hold no judgement over their tastes. This makes the superiority complex that many Oldies listeners have very frustrating to me.

Music, or any art for that matter, isn’t always going to be based on conservative or modest values, and that doesn’t make it wrong. Deviant and explicit expression in art should be normalized, as artists tend to approach boundaries in expression by pushing back against them. Rather than viewing this as wrong or less than compared to other art, it is simply ignorant. As they say, rules are meant to be broken.

Ended federal union collective bargaining

Warming everyone up for the entries to come, I think it would be appropriate to start with one of the worst attacks on organized labor in our country since the Haymarket massacre. On the morning of Friday, March 28, Trump signed an executive order cancelling collective bargaining for a swath of federal employee unions. This is the first time in my recent memory that state-sanctioned union-busting has taken place so blatantly at this level. While this is likely to be challenged in court, labor unions should take this as a sign they will not be able to count on winning their labor struggles the traditional way, lest Trump steps in to save his rich buddies on Wall Street.

Erasure Of Black And Queer History 

Presumably because they couldn’t think of anything better to do, in mid-February,  the Trump administration ordered the removal of any mention of LGBTQ+ people, people of color and women from government websites, such as NASA and the Arlington National Cemetery pages. This includes, among many other things, an article highlighting the military service of Jackie Robinson, who famously broke the MLB’s color barrier. This is a small chapter in the administration’s broad war on diversity, but it bears mentioning to show how all-encompassing Trump’s attacks on DEI have been, even in terms of seemingly minuscule elements like one-page tributes on federal websites.

Greenland

One of Trump’s goals since taking office has been his seemingly unwavering dedication to annex Greenland, despite most of Greenland being against this plan of action. This lack of consent from the people of Greenland has done little to dissuade Trump, who has dug his heels in the sand and channeled his inner Veruca Salt from the film  “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” droning on and on about how we simply must have Greenland. Trump has also gone on record stating the U.S. having Greenland would make the whole world safe. Personally, I can’t really see how. This debacle would honestly be a lot funnier if it didn’t also have massive implications for U.S. alliances abroad. If a U.S. invasion of Greenland happens, which Trump has alluded to, it would essentially torch NATO’s alliance with the U.S. and any goodwill toward Europe.

“Terrific” Operations Security

In one of the most laughable moments from Trump’s presidency so far, top-secret government information was leaked to the public due to several officials not knowing how to use Signal. This chat, including people such as JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, Mike Waltz, Marco Rubio and a few other high-ranking officials, was used to discuss plans to bomb Yemen. What they didn’t realize, however, was that a reporter from The Atlantic had been included in the chat by mistake, and was witness to the top-secret discussion. These discussions were held in a manner that seemed as if they were part of a fraternity, planning their weekend blowout. The utter surrealism of Waltz using emojis to discuss a bombing campaign is without description. After the Trump administration denied the chats and questioned the legitimacy of the reporter, The Atlantic released the entire Signal conversation, which revealed that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was not included. This entire, embarrassing debacle can be summed up with one group chat text from Hegseth, the Fox News host masquerading as a military official, “100% OPSEC” (Operations Security).

Political Deportations

Finally, one of the most horrifying and cruel moments from this presidency is Trump’s weaponization of deportation to remove those who are actively working against the administration. Specifically, he has worked to deport students involved in pro-Palestine activism across the country. Most notably, the abduction of Mahmoud Khalil at the hands of ICE has grabbed the nation’s attention in an unprecedented attack on the student movement. Several abductions followed soon after, and almost all individuals have been waiting in jail without trial. All this comes as the Trump administration has been looking to strip due process in deportation cases, which would essentially allow the government to deport anyone as long as they’re accused of being an illegal immigrant.

While this is by no means a complete list of all the noteworthy actions from Trump and his administration, I hope it illustrates just how insane, cruel and seemingly stupid this administration has managed to be in just over two months.

In January, I wrote one of my first articles for the Lanthorn on my thoughts regarding the ceasefire in Gaza. While I still stressed the importance of continued activism in all arenas against Israeli apartheid, I was thankful that the horrific, inexcusable violence against Palestinians in Gaza would be coming to an end. Clearly, I had far too much faith in the powers that be to stop the genocide. True to form, the Israeli Defense Force, which I will henceforth be referring to as the Israeli Occupational Force (IOF), mainly attacked residential buildings used as shelters, as well as makeshift schools– once again leaving many mothers and fathers in Gaza forced to search through the rubble for their dead children. 400 lives were extinguished in a matter of minutes, and the situation’s horror set in for the Palestinian people, who have been plunged back into the depths of hell they had momentarily escaped from.

It should be made perfectly clear that President Donald Trump gave his tacit approval of the genocide’s reescalation. Just like his predecessor, Trump gave the IOF an open check to daily inflict despicable crimes against humanity. Among his many enthusiastic statements of support to Israel was his suggestion that Palestinians in Gaza be “relocated” to surrounding countries. To be completely clear, this is an example of ethnic cleansing, otherwise known as genocide. It should not be surprising that Trump, who has mainly accumulated his wealth on the back of the empire built by his racist, landlord father, advocated what is essentially large-scale gentrification in the Gaza Strip.

The situation in occupied Palestine is only getting more dire by the second, as the IOF has already launched a ground campaign into northern Gaza– a campaign likely to kill thousands more. This invasion has been coupled with a truly dystopian video of the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who warned that the IOF is ready to attack “with a force beyond anything you have ever seen.” Considering what we have borne witness to over the past year and a half, I shudder to think of what his statement entails. 

Despite the hopes of all who advocated for and celebrated the ceasefire several months ago, the genocide in Gaza has reverted back to its horrifying form from before the ceasefire, with unmitigated acts of cruelty sure to be perpetuated on a regular basis. The main difference this time around, however, is the viciousness of dissent being crushed in the United States. Take, for example, the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate who had been legally obtaining his education in America on a green card. At Columbia, Khalil played a large role in the university’s student encampment last spring. Without warning, federal immigration agents showed up and detained him. Trump soon proudly took to social media to announce his plans to deport Khalil, despite his having a green card. Weeks later, Khalil is still being held with zero charges.

Now, just as when the ceasefire was first announced, our priorities must remain firm. Despite pathetic, authoritarian attempts to silence us, we must continue to speak out for Palestine in all forms available to us. We must continue to boycott all companies that do business with the criminal Israeli government. We must continue to pressure our local governments and schools to divest from this genocide. We must keep the lives of Palestinians in our hearts, as they stare down the barrel of horror once again. Free Palestine!