- Dakota Cox
- Opinion
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Changing your hair to change your life
It’s unique like a snowflake and it fits like a glove, it’s more important than arriving on time, it’s the defining aspect of our image — it’s hair. Whether we love it or hate it, it’s ours, and we do our best to maintain it.
With the state of social media in 2020, an overwhelming degree of how we perceive each other has become smothered by appearance. With many of us lacking excess money to afford material possessions like designer clothes and expensive jewelry, hair is the aspect of our appearance where we have the most control.
In 2015, a “no hair, don’t care” campaign was launched, with young women shaving their heads to get in touch with their true identities. Breaking gender norms, these women are able to grow confidence as they discover their inner beauty and channel it to the surface.
Whether we do it to stick out or to fit in, by wearing our hair the way we do each day, we communicate to others a glimpse into the possibilities of what could be our lives. An ordinary haircut often insinuates a more serious approach towards life, while unusually long hair on a man communicates a more laid back approach and unusually short hair on a woman creates the perception of authority. No matter which walks of life we choose, each comes with its own expectations that will soon shape our behaviors, eventually our personalities, and oftentimes, our hair.
Synonymous with her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, Emma Watson famously cut off almost all of her hair as soon as the series wrapped. After spending a decade with the same style, she explained in a2010 interview, she felt it was a necessary change to escape the character.
At certain times in our lives, we may find we’ve relinquished power to our hair, allowing it to influence our identities rather than the other way around. Whether it be a reluctance to give up the life we’ve grown so accustomed to, or perhaps fear of exploring the unknown that holds us back from moving forward, it is a certainty of life that we will encounter change. Even as we enter the later years of our lives, long after we’ve fallen into our respective routines, we will experience our first gray hairs or perhaps receding hairlines – and we are sure to feel betrayed by our bodies. Whether we’re ready or not, change is always on the way, and the best thing we can do is embrace it. Letting go of your old hair can be a therapeutic release, relieving weight from your shoulders with each severed follicle.
We love to play with it and we hate to part with it, but for some of us, the perceptions broadcast by our hairstyles don’t match the personalities that lie beneath. Especially now, in the midst of a pandemic as we find ourselves cut off from much of what we considered ordinary life, we should take the opportunity to step back and assess our core values. If for some reason we find ourselves in a place we no longer want to be, or where we feel we don’t belong, something as simple as a haircut can be the first step in a positive new direction.
As the late, great King of PopMichael Jackson, put it in his song, “Man in the Mirror,” “if you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.” You are only truly at your best when you feel that way inside and reflect it outwardly. Only then, can you make a difference.
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With labs, classrooms and most facilities on campus closed, what is being done with student tuition?

What It’s Like Inside Pelican Bay Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
A conversation with a CR student at Pelican Bay State Prison

Here’s What The Lumberjack is Watching, Reading, Playing and Doing
Some unedited recommendations and brief reviews from some of our staff

14 Books to Read While Self-Isolating
There’s never been a better time to start reading books

Before You Forage: Mussels
Everything you need to know to forage for mussels

Joyner Drops Disappointing Debut
Grammy-nominated rapper Joyner Lucas shares his debut album, “ADHD,” with the world

Here’s How You Can Drown Your Sports Sorrows
While sports may be at a standstill, you can still relish and relive your favorite game moments

With Future Unknown Amid Pandemic, HSU Plans for Enrollment Drops and Budget Cuts
HSU, like all colleges, prepares for tough times amid COVID-19 pandemic

HSU Projecting Grave Hit to Enrollment for Fall Semester
Freshman class projected to shrink, number of academic departments to be reduced

Student Athletes Suffer Amid COVID-19 Cancellations
HSU student athletes share grief at abrupt endings

Gambino Goes Out with a Banger
Childish Gambino releases fourth and final album

Happy Thoughts and Hot Liquids Won’t Save Us
A reminder of the few things we know that help prevent the spread of COVID-19

Humboldt State’s Theatre Fraternity Tries a Comeback
Alpha Psi Omega attempts a comeback with new students and adviser

Online Learning Isn’t for Me
Online classes don’t feel like real learning and stifle student motivation

Rain Returns to Humboldt This Weekend
A moderate rainstorm will make its way through Humboldt County

Humboldt Mold Manifests in Moisture
HSU students are under-informed and unprepared for the beast that is mold

A Rundown of All The Emails HSU Has Sent Students
Since March 15 HSU has sent out over a dozen emails on their response to COVID-19

How to Sew Your Own Face Mask
A step-by-step guide to making face masks

Photos Show Life Around Arcata in the Time of COVID-19
A photo series from the end of spring break

Associated Students Elections Delayed Due to COVID-19
Associated Students Board of Directors redesigns spring elections

Here Are the Refunds Students Can Expect from HSU
Refunds for various fees are available for Humboldt State students in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak

Students Bused Back to HSU Met with Mixed Messages
Locals react to HSU students bused back to Humboldt from coronavirus-afflicted areas

Pop-Star Weeknd is Here to Stay
The Weeknd’s fourth album, “After Hours,” has arrived

Retention Rate on the Rise at HSU
More Humboldt State students are electing to stick around, but there’s still work to be done

Learning from These Sudden Senior Year Goodbyes
I wasn’t prepared for the school year to end so abruptly

The Lumberjack Takes Home 14 Media Awards
Humboldt State student newspaper wins four first place 2020 California College Media Association awards

Myths and Truths of Surgical Face Masks
Mirage of safety causes mask supply to plummet and xenophobia to reemerge

5 Dystopian Films to Watch Now That You Now Live in One
Lock yourself indoors and pretend these films are strictly fiction

Updated: Summarizing HSU’s COVID-19 Updates
All classes to go online for the rest of the semester and other plans, plus a translation

Ask Evergreen: Concerned Citizen
How to live through a pandemic

Students Stressed and Frustrated Going into Somber Spring Break
Students react to in-person class cancellations due to global pandemic

No Facts Justify the Pink Tax
Businesses capitalize on gender-based price discrimination

Ask Evergreen: Productive Procrastinator
How to be productive while procrastinating

Catcalling Can’t Continue
Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination

Humboldt Esports Builds Momentum
Arcata High CyberTigers face off against the Novato High Hornets

Dr. Asao Inoue Looks to Lead Academic Revolution
Inoue confronts the supremacist ideas within American academia

Students Speak on Professor’s Use of N-Word
More trouble at the student radio station, this time with the adviser

Updated: HSU Suspends Classes After Spring Break, Also Cancels Sports and Large Events
Classes will be taught remotely starting March 26

Indigenous Environmentalists Connect Environment and People
Campus discussion touches on importance of traditional knowledge

Trackside Tales with Elliott Portillo
First-hand account from Humboldt State distance runner Elliott Portillo

Clubs Budget Crunched in Wake of Declining Enrollment
Associated Students takes over remains of the clubs budget

Sprinkles Expected for Spring Break
Rains look to rush in this upcoming weekend

Chemistry Professor Picks Up $100,000 Award
Claire Till of HSU receives lucrative award to aid her research and academics

Mia Mingus Advocates for Accountability
Personal accountability paves way for future of transformative justice

HSU Activates Pandemic Planning Committee
With COVID-19 spreading, HSU plans post-spring break response

New In-N-Out in Eureka
“Quality You Can Taste” in Humboldt County

Major League Marijuana
Why I don’t think marijuana is everything it’s cracked up to be in baseball

Ask Evergreen: Sensitive Sleeper
How to fall asleep and stay asleep

We’re All Lonely But It’s Not Our Fault
Shifting the blame of loneliness from individuals to institutions

Vegan Cannabis-Infused Brownie Recipe
Learn how to bake and get baked

Stoners Bake Snacks with Scientific Hacks
Finding more creative ways to use cannabis

The Light at the End of the Speeding Metal Death-Box
The United States needs better regulations on rear car lights

New Details for Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The hype is real for the new Animal Crossing game after their recent presentation

Pigs Compost on Campus
CCAT tries to reduce HSU’s food waste footprint through new pig program

Students Suffer from Frequent Bike Thefts
Humboldt State University police say a student on campus gets their bike stolen every day

Dream Season for Corsairs Continues
College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team charges into the playoffs

Navigating the Pressures of the First-Generation Student Experience
First-generation students must look outside family for support

Chico State Steals the Jacks’ Spotlight
Wildcats win, but the Jacks put on a good game

HSU Jacks Swept by SSU Seawolves
Humboldt State softball team takes loss in two double-headers against Sonoma State University

Ross Discusses Evolution of Racism in College
Bestselling author Lawrence Ross calls for more than just black best friends

Sanders Wins California Primary
Sanders takes over 40 percent of Humboldt vote

Biden’s Recent Slip-up is Not His First
The South Carolina gaffe is only his most recent in a series of slip-ups

Mike Bloomberg is Democratic Trump
Mike Bloomberg is just another billionaire with outdated views looking for attention

Final Fantasy Music Rendition Fills Fulkerson
Pianist Ryan McGaughey performs fan-favorite tunes from Final Fantasy VII

My Hair is Not a Dress Code Violation
Natural hairstyles are often shunned, but these hairstyles keep hair healthy while representing cultures

We Still Need to Talk About Consent
Consent is crucial, but some just don’t get it

Ask Evergreen: Respectful Rejector
Learn how to say no respectfully

Polish Professor Melds Magic and Music
A dream of illusions and piano prowess with Igor Lapinski

Chico State Softball Dominates Doubleheader vs. Jacks
Chico State softball lived up to the hype in daytime doubleheader

Filling in the Fossil Record with Fungi
Madison Lalica cracks open 400-million-year-old fossils

“My Neighbor Totoro” at The Minor Theatre
View the magical world of Studio Ghibli animation with special showtimes at The Minor Theatre

Kirby Moss Illustrates the Significance of Black Joy
Journalist and Professor Kirby Moss presents new book on Black joy

Students Test Out the Voting Waters
Mock election prepares HSU students for local issues on ballot

Environment Takes Center Stage at Huffman Town Hall
Huffman talks greenhouse gases, sea level rise, salmon and more

Report Reveals Shortcomings in Lawson Case
National Police Foundation identifies issues and makes recommendations

Remembering Evelyn: A Ray of Sunshine in Humboldt
Members of the community rally to celebrate the life of Evelyn Andrews

Travel Back in Time in ARCADA
ARCADA opens soon for lovers of video games and liquor

Humboldt County Coronavirus Case Update
Department of Health and Human Services quells concerns

What It Means When You’re “Going Through It”
Breaking down the common modern phrase

New MLB Rules Come Out of Left Field
MLB rule changes go against what the game is all about

We Need the Wisdom of Wikipedia
Wikipedia shows collaboration is crucial for accuracy

Digging in the Dunes
Making a difference in the dunes by hand, plant-by-plant

Ask Evergreen: Busy Bee
Ask Evergreen is a weekly advice column by the students of The Lumberjack

Ja’Quan Gardner Rushes into the XFL
HSU adds another pro football player to its record, but not for the league you think

Before You Forage: Sea Lettuce
Everything you ever wondered about sea lettuce

Third Athletic Director Candidate at HSU
On Feb. 11 HSU welcomed its third potential candidate for its next athletic director

Sweet Songs, Fancy Feathers, Birds Bang
The sex life of a bird is no simple thing

New Grant Spurs CAPS Growth
CAPS will provide 36 more appointments per day by next year

First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Humboldt
Press release from Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Branch

Sovereign Bodies Brings Awareness
Activist creates new database to track violence against Indigenous women

Student-Run Radio Programs are Back on Air
Jam out to your local, community neighbors

Marcus Manning Continues Series of Athletic Director Forums
Another prospective athletic director gives their pitch

Syphilis Rates Spike in Humboldt
Though prevalent, there are many free treatment and prevention options

Growing Up in the Shadow of Malcolm X
Ilyasah Shabazz discussed her background with loving energy on Feb. 12

Equity Arcata Holds Home Away From Home Potluck
Potluck seeks to bring together and welcome students to the community

Parking Pisses Me Off
The trials and tribulations of finding parking on campus

Flyers Allege Faculty Sex Solicitation
Humboldt State University investigation is ongoing

No Parking, No Progress
Study reveals complex campus parking problem with solutions still far-off

Artificial Intelligence Generates Real Jokes on Twitter
Creators say we shouldn’t worry about being replaced yet

Struggles at the Station
Floods and frequent power outages caused issues for KRFH during the fall semester

Just One More Hour of Breakfast Burritos
Demand extends breakfast burrito availability to 11 a.m. at The Depot

Ask Evergreen: Lootless Lover
Ask Evergreen is a weekly advice column by the students of The Lumberjack

Feelin’ the Funk at International Education Week
Breaking down the power and importance of global funk music

Ballot Burning for the Modern Meddler
Why we need to stick with physical ballots

Sudden Oak Death Plagues Humboldt’s Forests
While Humboldt County is known for its beautiful forests, sudden oak death threatens their wellbeing

Let’s Make Media Coverage Equal, Always
Emphasizing equity and integrity in the media February and beyond

Jacks Fall to Second in Conference Coyotes
Men’s basketball leads early but drops second in a row at home

Lights Out on Black Out Night
Lady Jacks dominate against San Bernardino

Campus Construction Nears Completion
You’ve seen it. You’ve heard it. You’ve become annoyed by it. When will it end?

Dr. Cornel West Talks Truth
Selling out in less than a week, Dr. Cornel West commanded the stage with emotion and power

HSU Students’ Home Remedies
We asked HSU students for their home remedies to get over colds and flus

Allan Jones Opens Forums for HSU Athletic Director
First candidate for HSU’s next athletic director makes his case for the job

Why the Oscars Lack 2020 Vision
The Academy Awards are broken—here some ways to fix them

Ask Evergreen: Cornered Cohabitant
Ask Evergreen is a weekly advice column by the students of The Lumberjack

Chopping Genes and Growing Brains
Innovative research and a discovery in HSU’s molecular biology lab

News Recap: HSU Budget
The Humboldt State University budget proposal is under overview from President Jackson

News Recap: Coronavirus Outbreak
The Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe

One More Reason to Ride a Bike
Saving money and the planet at the HSU Bicycle Learning Center

Walking and Wildlife Tracking
A group of students and community members wandered around Redwood Creek to track the local wildlife

Deadly Fire at Arcata Apartments
Fire leaves one dead and one hospitalized

Turner and Thrower: Leading Ladies
Humboldt State Lady Lumberjacks’ dynamic duo Tyra Turner and Alexia Thrower show no signs of slowing down

Stuck Swimming in Circles
Completing and contemplating Mac Miller’s final album

5 Apps to Help You Survive the Semester
Survive the spring semester with these essential school apps

Betting on the Super Bowl Doesn’t Always Pay Off
Clarifying the legality of betting on the Super Bowl

HSU Students Remember a Legend
Losing a legend leaves a lasting impact on fans

Who Students are Supporting in the Upcoming Elections
What students think of the 2020 presidential candidates on offer

Dr. Cornel West Headlines Black Liberation Month at HSU
Philosopher, activist and intellectual Dr. Cornel West visiting Humboldt State University

Press Release: Let’s Talk About Mass Incarceration
A press release from the HSU Formerly Incarcerated Students Club

An Update on HSU’s Climate Action Plan
The Humboldt Office of Sustainability reports good news for HSU’s Climate Action Plan

Ask Evergreen: Single and Seeking
How do I meet people without using online dating apps?

The Failure of U.S Soccer
The United States men’s national team has not made much progress since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup

Memes Communicate Modern Messages
How memes provide comedic relief in times of conflict

Stand-up Comedy Etiquette for Dummies
Keep your commentary to yourself and let me have a laugh, please

Trees are Here to Help
How planting trees can serve as one branch of a climate action plan

SCRAP Humboldt: Saving the Planet One Scrap at a Time
Affordable art supplies with environmental consciousness in mind

Connecting Cannabis and Cancer
New study links smoking cannabis with testicular cancer

Predicting What the New Decade Will Bring
Three methods of thought going into the new year reveal a time of dedication and hard work

Out with the Old and in with the New at HSU
Several administrative changes at HSU suggest high turnover

33 Months
Living in a community full of love, fear and a growing void of justice

PG&E Prepares for Possible Storm Outages
Winter storm moving in Wednesday evening may cause power outages

4 Pietastic Baking Tips for the Holidays
Four tips to make baking a pie that much easier

Ask Evergreen: Fretful Fueler
Ask Evergreen is a weekly advice column by the students of the Lumberjack.

Work Out for a Cause
Humboldt State students partner with Campaign One At A Time to raise money for a child’s dream

HSU Adapts to Low Enrollment
Inside the multi-pronged battle against declining enrollment

A Baseball Team Would be a Home Run
Why HSU should bring back baseball in the post-football era

Give Me More Than Vague Emails on Campus Crime
HSU notifications lack conviction or specific plans of action

Dreams in Between
Cast and crew of “Dreamers: Aquí y Allá” shed light on complexities of immigration

Parody is Protected Speech
HSU administration cannot tell student media what to publish

New Grant Lends Helping Hand
Mental health grant seeks to address adverse childhood experiences in Humboldt

A Q&A with the “Sexist ‘Riddle'” Creators
The students behind the sign comparing Humboldt to genitalia discuss their curated material

Associated Students President Resigns
AS Administrative Vice President will take over for the spring semester

Spreading Warmth for Winter
Many organizations around Humboldt County provide warm clothing for little or no cost.

So You Want to Compost
Composting can be one of the most beneficial ways to handle waste

Lumberjacks Host Logtoberfest
Logging sports club invites competition for an axe amount of fun

Instagram Updates Are Wack
With each new update comes new changes that seem to have no input from the user community.

Motorcycle Tips for Riding in the Rain
It’s always important to drive safely, and that goes double for motorcyclists, especially in the rain.

HSU’s Debate Team Preps for Spring Season
Humboldt State University’s debate team begins season preparation

‘Dreamers: Aquí y Allá’ Preview
Theater Arts Department presents a production that transcends borders

03 Greedo Releases Second Album From Prison
The incarcerated Los Angeles rapper releases a full length studio album produced by Kenny Beats.

HSU Confessionals: Student Apologies
If you had to apologize to someone, who would it be and for what reasons?

Ask Evergreen: Ant Avoider
Mint, peppermint and spearmint essential oils are safe alternatives to bug sprays.

Humboldt Degree Value Lowest in CSU System
Studies show Humboldt State graduates receive lowest pay among CSUs

Committees Seek New CSU Chancellor
Humboldt State has no direct input on chancellor search committees.

Green Thumbs at the Greenhouse
Dennis K. Walker Greenhouse provides a haven for a diversity of plant species.

Decision Time for DACA
Supreme Court set to determine future of over 700,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy recipients.

Finding Cheer Amid the Holiday Blues
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. For some, anyway.

Tull Impresses at National Championships
HSU cross country runner Daniel Tull places 56th out of 267 competitors at the Division II National Championships in Sacramento.

Turkey Doomsday
Investigations have found that many large-scale poultry farms keep their birds intentionally overweight and injected with hormones.

‘OK Boomer,’ Let’s Set the Record Straight
Millennials and Zoomers may be fed up, but ‘OK Boomer’ is not equivalent to a racial slur.

Annual Día de Muertos Festival de Altares canceled due to ICE concerns
by Mia Costales Every fall, community members gather in Old Town Eureka to celebrate Día de Muertos Festival de Altares, a community event celebrating the two-day Mexican holiday that honors the lives of deceased loved ones and celebrates their souls’

Resources in response to food insecurity
by Bodhi Haugen On Nov. 3, Cal Poly Humboldt sent a student-wide email addressing campus resources for food insecurity following the government shutdown across the nation. Due to the continued shutdown, the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has

Associated Students offers free NYT subscription for students
by Nico Patakidis A free New York Times (NYT) subscription will potentially be offered soon for all Cal Poly Humboldt students, courtesy of the Associated Students (A.S.). The most recent bi-weekly board of directors meeting on Oct. 31 discussed this

We take care of us: Student-made mutual aid feeds Cal Poly Humboldt community
by Eli Farrington As a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient and low-income student dealing with chronic illness, Gus Dorman understands — more than most — how important food security can be. Before coming to Humboldt, Dorman studied culinary arts



