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Spam Musubi fundraiser held at LAC raised funds for LBCC club that focuses on foster youth

David Sandoval
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Spam Musubi fundraiser held at LAC raised funds for LBCC club that focuses on foster youth

Hungry students gathered for Spam Musubi and beverages in the quad of the Liberal Arts Campus as the Guardian Scholars Club was fundraising for its general fund on Tuesday. 

Spam Musubi is a cultural fusion snack that combines Japanese rice balls called onigiri with American canned meat.

Spam Musubi was sold for $4, Coke for $2 and water for $1.

The Guardian Scholars Club is a club targeted towards foster youth, but anyone is welcome to join, stemming from the LBCC program with the same name.

The club aims to be “dedicated to supporting current and former foster youth, as well as allies who are passionate about creating positive change.” 

Club president, Jay Sowell, was enthusiastic about the fundraiser and bringing the community together.

“It gives us a chance to connect with other students and make ourselves known on campus and make connections with other clubs as well,” Sowell said.

Pieces of Spam being cooked during the Spam Musubi fundraiser hosted by the Guardian Scholar Club at the A-Quad in LBCC LAC Campus. On April 14. (Alex Pina)

Club vice president, Reba Lester, is proud of the community she has joined and believes that raising money for the club will help other students in need.

“We’re hoping to raise money so we can do more events and help out the foster youth more because it is mainly about children who were abused when they were younger, ” Lester said.

Andrew Pacheco, a fire science major, happened to be passing by when he noticed the smell of cooked Spam and decided to stop by and have a bite.

“I grew up around a lot of Polynesian and Hawaiian families, so Spam Musubi is something I’ve always grown up with and I was just craving it,” Pacheco said.

Spam Musubi is traditionally a simple, tasty comfort food and for LBCC students who decided to buy some, supported the club’s efforts of outreach and support.

LBCC welcomes potential students with annual Viking Preview Day

Leen Fragoso
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LBCC welcomes potential students with annual Viking Preview Day

A busy day was in store for the Long Beach City College High School Outreach team and staff as the annual Viking Preview Day took place, an event that showcases a piece of what LBCC has to offer for incoming graduating high school students on April 14.

Booths were set up around Long Beach City College’s LAC campus, each booth representing different programs and majors, as professors connected with and informed graduating high school students and their families. 

For high school senior Lily Lucas and her family, they’ve been keeping up with events in Long Beach City College and were happy to finally get a look around the LAC campus with a tour provided by LBCC during the preview day.

“We’ve been really interested in this, well school, so we’ve been coming here more often. We’re finally looking at all the buildings and I’m really excited.” Lucas said.

Informed about the event through various notices sent by LBCC, students from different high schools filled the quads by the start of the preview day at 5 p.m.

Viking Preview Day invited high school seniors and their families, one family member in attendance, Rosa Reyes, noted why it was important for them to be present in their students’ potential future at LBCC.

“I feel like they get to explore different things, like clubs, any outreach there is. I feel like that is something that really helps keep their education, it makes them feel like they are a part of a community college.” Reyes said.

Director of High School Outreach and Educational Partnerships, LooLoo Amante Tupua, put together the preview day. Tupua works to help all incoming students get ready to go to college at LBCC. She’s been at LBCC for 7 years.

“Our Viking Preview Day is our annual college open house where we welcome incoming and prospective students and their families to visit our campus,” Tupua said.

Tupua also spent her time at the event connecting with attendees and worked to inform them about what academic programs Viking Preview day had available to not only high school graduates, but their families as well.

“Its also nice because we invite students and their families, and what often happens is a parent or a sibling is like, oh dang, you guys got this? And so it’s kind of nice because it becomes a domino effect.” LooLoo added.

The day started with a resource fair, then broke out into group workshops, which included help with financial aid, keys to success with first-year experience, transfer center resources and drop-in support at the welcome center.

“It’s a really big event for us, we attract probably around over 300 plus people, because it’s not only students but their families as well,” Tupua said.

The second preview day for LBCC will take place on April 25, located at the college’s TTC campus, working to inform more potential students about the many academic programs and student services LBCC has to welcome them.

The life of a Latter-day Saint

Heaven Herrera
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The life of a Latter-day Saint

CORRECTION: A previous version misattributed a photo credit.

While most 18-year-olds begin college, sleep in, and hang out with friends, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a different introduction to adult life.

Latter-day Saint missionaries will find themselves in a brand new home, away from family and ready to serve others in a new community. 

On their missions, Latter-day Saint missionaries speak to members of a community about their religion and attempt to get them to join their church. 

Latter-day Saint missionary Thomas Monroe speaking with a student at LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus on March 3. (Liam Hollon)

“There were times growing up where I kind of fell off from what my parents were trying to teach me and trying to instill in me. I spent some time away from the faith. During this time, I felt like I was not as happy, so I made my way back and I started to feel that joy that comes through the gospel,” missionary Thomas Monroe said. 

According to Monroe, their morning begins at 6:30 a.m., when they exercise and get themselves ready for the day. Following this, they study scripture and read from the Bible and the Book of Mormon individually, as well as with their assigned companion. They then discuss with one another their plan for the day. 

“We kind of go through where we’re gonna be the most effective and what times would be best to find young adults, especially for us because we’re part of a young adult congregation,” Latter-day Saint missionary Garrett Bruce said.

Latter-day saint missionary Garrett Bruce speaks with a LBCC student at Long Beach City College on March 3. (Liam Hollon)

The Institute of Religion – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is within walking distance from Long Beach City College, makes the campus a key area for the missionaries to speak to young adults and students. 

“With students, I just like to get to know something that people are looking forward to, what brings people help and even a struggle they are facing right now and ultimately being able to connect that back to how Jesus Christ can help them,” Monroe said. 

Talking to as many students as they do in a day, not all are going to be receptive to their teachings, which leads to many rejections. 

“We receive a lot of rejection, a lot of scorn and a lot of laughs being missionaries, but in the same way, I’m grateful to feel a small part of what the savior did when he was on earth,” Bruce said.  

One of the major shifts the Latter-day Saint missionaries face is the relocation process to a brand new state, or even country. The mission is two years where they live and speak with members of the community about their faith.

Bruce initially served in a mission in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he had to learn Spanish in order to teach and speak with locals. 

“I was 18, I had just graduated from high school, I had almost no experience living away from family, and then all of a sudden I was living in a different country,” Bruce said. “When I was in Colombia, it took some time getting used to life as a Colombian, but I am very grateful that I did it.”

Latter-day Saint missionaries go on this two-year journey, leaving behind some of the things that distract them from furthering their learning of faith. 

“Coming into the mission and having everything worldly stripped from you forces you to rely more on God and to come closer to him,” Monroe said. 

“With things like TV and movies, they don’t really help us to fulfill our purpose and are really just a distraction, so when we cut those things out, we can focus on Jesus Christ and helping others,” Bruce said. 

Latter-day Saint missionaries Ethan Haughawout, left, Thomas Monroe, middle, and Garrett Bruce, right, at a Rossmoor park pickleball court on March 2. (Alyssa Redrup)

Monday’s are the only day of the week when Latter-day Saint missionaries are not seeking to speak to members of the community. On these days, they’ll run errands, call family, and socialize with other members of the church at the park. 

“We call our families one time a week on Mondays, so that is like our time to decompress from everything and just relax a bit,” Monroe said.

Latter-day Saint missionary Ethan Haughawout, who’s been on his mission for over a year, has lost a majority of contact with his brother, who is serving a mission in Brazil. 

“I definitely miss my older brother, who’s just 14 months apart from me. We shared a room our whole lives, we played baseball and tennis together growing up, we did everything,” Haughawout said. 

Haughawout also credits their faith with bringing them closer together over the years. 

“I remember we had a pretty big fight after church one day, and we ended up hugging it out 4 minutes later because we were just like, there’s no point to this and contention is just not of god,” Haughawout said.

Following their missions, Monroe and Bruce plan on going to college, starting their careers and building a family. 

“I plan on going to school and working when I get back home. I’m planning on studying to become an orthodontist,” Bruce said. 

Latter-day Saint missionaries Thomas Monroe, left, and Garrett Bruce, right, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on March 15. (Liam Hollon)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Alamitos holds worship services at 10:00 a.m. as well as 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and holds multiple events throughout the week.

The Vikings softball team continues its winning streak with its fourth consecutive win 

Thavarath Ellis
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The Vikings softball team continues its winning streak with its fourth consecutive win 

The Vikings softball team continued its winning streak with its fourth consecutive win. At their game on March 27, the Vikings won 3-0 against Southwestern. 

In the first inning, Riannah Maulupe grounded out to third base, SAC and RBI while the score was still 0-0. In that same inning, Sienna Rievley scored, making it 1-0.. 

With their first win coming in the first inning, the team remained confident in their performance the rest of the game. 

When asked what key moment helped secure the win, right-hand pitcher Ella Huago responded, “I think scoring first and just having a really strong first inning for defense, it’s good to get the momentum on your side and keep it there, which I think we did really well.” 

The score remained the same in the second inning however, in the third inning, Maulupe doubled to left center and scored an RBI. Natania Leomiti scored, making it 2-0.

In that same inning, Lela Asi doubled and Maulupe scored, making it 3-0

“Trusting each other, like if one of us can’t get it done, like, we know someone behind us will do it.” Haleigh Jacobs continued. 

“It just makes it a lot easier to be like, even if we’re behind for something, like, it’s easier to come back from that,” said Jacobs.

Huago was able to lead the team to victory with her dominant pitches that left Southwestern scoreless throughout the entire game. 

“We like to really pound the strike zone, and I think our pitcher did a really good job of hitting our spots,” said Megan Martinez, director of softball. 

The game against Southwestern ended shortly, but the momentum of this game builds the path for future games and the overall tone of how the Vikings approach their upcoming opponents. 

“We play every game like it’s a championship game and we play one through 40 the same way. We approach every game like it’s a brand new day because it is,” said Martinez. 

The victory against Southwestern secured another win for the Vikings. Their next game will be away against El Camino on Tuesday at 2 p.m.. 

Pride Scholars picnic helps community building on campus

Diosa Hippolyta
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Pride Scholars picnic helps community building on campus

Correction: A previous version stated that the event was on Friday, March 17, not Tuesday, which is the correct day

Blankets, food and beverages provided a safe space for the picnic in the A-Quad at LAC on March 17. bringing together many for LBCC’s first Queer Spring Picnic.

The LBCC PRIDE Scholars program hosted the picnic, hoping to build community on campus, offering a safe space to stop by.

“I think I just wanted to kind of get us all together and you know, like break some bread, share some food, “ said Healthy Vikings coordinator Chris Garcia, during the welcoming and announcing upcoming events being offered in March.  

March has been a major focus for the Pride Scholars Program, with activities, speaker series, and art being on the agenda to attract all students to the new Pride Lounge space in the Social Justice Intercultural Center (SJIC) located in LAC room B-200.

“We have a lot of events. If you’re not part of the program, or if you’re not following us on Instagram. All our events we’re posting them on, under like Student Health, Healthy Vikings,” Garcia continues during opening comments, sharing the vision and ideas for the future of both the program and curriculum ideas in store at LBCC.

There is also an LBCC employee resource group available for students to access and students were encouraged to join.

The menu included an assortment of fruit, potato and pasta salad to add to their plates.

Even a ‘build your own sandwich’ station was available for students to be creative and make their own sandwich with a buffet of toppings. 

Building community and encouraging conversation and connection were the underlining intention for all who came. For some students, it was a safe space to relax and regenerate.

The event included faculty member Erika Santizo, who will be one of the upcoming Ethnic Studies Pride professors who will design a curriculum tailored to the specific learning community.

“So since it’s a learning community, the focus is to really honor the LGBTQ experience.  I think oftentimes people think of LGBTQ as an additive as opposed to as part of the curriculum,” Santizo continued.

Mateo Espinoza comes out to celebrate queerness and indulge with the people of the quuer community on March 17th 2026 at the LAC A-quad. (Destiny Castillo)

Students enjoyed different celebrations in their lives and had the opportunity to share and express their stories with others during the picnic.  

Jasper Ruiz, a Pride Scholars Program participant and first-year biology major, attended and shared their love for the program and reflected on their experience.

“Unfortunately, I cannot take any more of the classes because I already fulfilled those requirements, but I do still attend — like, I try to attend some of the Pride Lounge events,” shares Ruiz.

“The music is — Yeah, it’s relaxing. It’s honestly like the first relaxing day I’ve had this whole semester.” said Ruiz

Ruiz had the opportunity to connect with previous classmates and program participants.

“I mean, it helped me make friends. Because I didn’t think in college I’d find any friends that I’d say, like, I’d get super close to or whatever. But now I have Caleb,” explains Ruiz.

“Considering I just turned 65 yesterday, I’m feeling pretty good. I mean, it’s relaxing. The mood is good. I would tell other students there are so many opportunities to gather with other students and get to know other students and enjoy campus on a regular basis,” said LBCC student Joy Vinson-Roy.

Vinson-Roy is part of the LBCC Personal Training Program at Long Beach City College, where students have the opportunity to train staff and go off campus or stay on campus to be part of an internship program that has helped her recover and reinvent herself after suffering a life-altering experience in 2020, after losing her job near her birthday.

“So I happen to be having a lot of fun, which I did yesterday. There were 45 students on the soccer team I get to play with,” Vinson-Roy continued.

Every week, Vinson-Roy works with college students who would like to become professional soccer players. She explains how being back at school has had a very positive impact on her life and educational experience at LBCC.

“I love it because I’m back to school because I lost my job as a personal trainer, so I’m having a lot of fun,” explains Vinson-Roy.

The Pride Scholars program has helped many students discover their gifts and talents and share them with services like tutoring and help with assignments while building friendships and relationships with a caring community.  

“Honestly, I feel super happy, super blessed because there was a really good turnout. You know, we have some people who are coming in who aren’t with Pride Scholars or the Pride Lounge. So, like, you know, we’re getting some good engagement,” said Jon Jon Cossio, Pride Scholars Student Success Coach.

Cossio explains how boosting social interest to support students is real engagement.

“It feels really relaxing. Really relaxing, super good energy, good vibes,” Cossio continues.

The Pride Scholars Program through the Pride Lounge supports students, making sure they feel seen and heard on campus and giving students the chance to express themselves, whether it be through community or through art and other mediums.

Last week with a California Community Colleges LGBTQIA2S+ Summit Watch Party April 15. and 16. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at LAC, B-206.

This week offered a Lunch & Learn: HIV History, Prevention, & Prep event on Thursday, April 23 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at LAC, B-200.

The last week of April will offer a Drag Workshop: The Art of Drag Makeup on Tuesday, April 28. From 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at LAC, B-200. This event has a limited amount of makeup.  

As well as a Community Round Table Talk on Thursday, April 30, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at LAC, B-200,

Students are encouraged to register using this QR code to RSVP early to guarantee a spot.

The QR code to RSVP for the Drag Workshop: The Art of Drag makeup April 28, from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at LAC B-200. Students are encouraged to RSVP early to secure a spot as there is a “Limited Makeup Quantity PLEASE RSVP” notice on the flier available at the Student Unions on both the LAC and TTC locations. (Diosa Hippolyta)

Kickoff for the diversity month of April highlights various cultures

Heaven Herrera
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Kickoff for the diversity month of April highlights various cultures

As LBCC students find themselves inching toward the end of the spring semester, school officials use the first week of April to highlight this month’s celebration of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility for students and staff of LBCC. 

On April 2 the TCC campus hosted a kickoff celebration with interactive activities, provided meals and hosted club information booths and cultural performances. 

All students on campus were invited to join the celebration ceremony, which provided hot food available for every participant, including asada quesadillas and California burritos. 

While participating students ate their choice of meal, several school officials began their speeches on the importance of diverse representation across LBCC campuses. 

Bernadette Gonzalez, the director of the Disabled Students Program and Services, opened the kickoff ceremony with a land acknowledgment of the Tongva people who were forcibly removed from the area, noting that “Long Beach City College honors and respects the Gabrielino-Tongva ancestors and their connection to this land.” 

Several cultural performances were showcased at the kickoff, such as the Drummers of Compton, the Mexican Payaso de Rodeo dance and a Native American hoop dancer. 

Lumbee hoop dancer Eric Hernandez dances during the kickoff event for April as DEIA month on April 2 at the TTC Campus. (Alyssa Redrup)

The Board of Trustees president Uduak-Joe Ntuk, the first African-American board member since LBCC’s founding in 1927, mentioned in his speech, “DEIA awareness month is not just a recognition, it’s making sure the values we espouse are reflected in our classrooms, our programs and the support we provide for every student.” 

Many school officials gave speeches in regards to the importance of diversity at LBCC, with

Ntuk emphasizing, “Just representation isn’t enough, we must look closely at the systems we are working in and make sure they are serving all of our students, especially those historically underserved.”

Students and staff were invited up to the stage to engage in interactive activities such as the Payaso de Rodeo dance, the electric slide and a Native American Lumbee hoop dance lesson by performer Eric Hernandez. 

Students and staff dance the electric slide during LBCC’s kickoff event for April as DEIA month at the TTC Campus on April 2. (Alyssa Redrup)

Hernandez gave the background and cultural significance of the Lumbee hoop dance he was set to perform, explaining that the dance itself was seen as a “healing ceremony that tells the story of us as humans and our journey through life.”

He continued on, highlighting that different imagery and symbols can be found throughout the course of his dance, through different figures created with the hoops. In his dance he created the figures for butterflies, birds, scorpions, alligators and more. 

The presence of celebrations across LBCC’s campuses to highlight diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across the month of April, show the school’s pride in the diversity of their student body, and the resources they provide for them. 

Vikings baseball team comes up short in game against Pasadena

Thavarath Ellis
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Vikings baseball team comes up short in game against Pasadena

The Vikings lost to Pasadena City College 8-5, despite first baseman Carson Slager’s triple that scored two, moving their record to 10-17 on March 26. 

In the third inning, Pasadena’s shortstop Omar Cisneros hit a single to score, taking a 1–0 lead. 

By the fourth inning, Pasadena players hit a double and a single and with a wild pitch Pasadena had four runs come across home plate to make the game 5-0. 

“We’re usually a team that either falls behind early and has to grind our way back, or jumps out in front and puts up a lot of runs,” Slager said.

The Vikings were shutout through five innings, trailing 6-0 heading into the sixth inning. 

The bottom of the sixth inning is where the Vikings scored all of its runs starting with designated hitter Garret Rodriguez, who hit a single to score center fielder Myles Fendrick, followed by a triple from Slager which scored third baseman Eshua Desai and Rodriguez. 

And then catcher Enrique Lopez hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Slager to score. 

The Vikings continued to score in the sixth inning when second baseman Ben Howard singled, driving in outfielder Aaron Mingo to make it  6–5.

“We weren’t pulling the trigger on very hittable pitches early in the count. When we did swing at those hitter’s pitches, we made weak contact instead of doing damage,” Vikings head coach Phillip Visico said. 

Pitcher Cesar Cordero throws pitch against Pasadena, Tuesday, March 26, 2026. The final score against Pasadena was 8-5.
(Adam Reed)

The Vikings have found themselves trailing in games and have not been able to complete the comeback. 

“So we had a chance in the 6th inning, put a five, just couldn’t find a way to put more runs on the board after that. So we kind of put ourselves in a hole that was tough to get out of,” Slager said.

When the Vikings were so close to catching up, Pasadena doubled RBI and scored making it 7-5 in the 8th inning. In that same inning, Pasadena did a single RBI and scored, making it 8-5.  

“We played great defense…I thought we fought well, but we just didn’t have what it took at the end. Just need to cash in with those two out runners out of second opportunities,” Lopez said. 

The Vikings’ next game is on April 21 at LA Harbor at 2 p.m.. There is also a game at home against LA Harbor on April 23 at 2 p.m.. 

Pressure makes diamonds: LBCC softball outfielder preserves amidst internal challenges 

Alejandro Diaz Lopez
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Pressure makes diamonds: LBCC softball outfielder preserves amidst internal challenges 

CORRECTION: A previous version described American Samoa as a separate country to the U.S., when it is a U.S. territory.

Lela Asi, the speedy Vikings softball outfielder, who has been a key part of the huge success during the softball season, shared her story on how she started playing softball, and told of a recent time when she almost gave up on the sport entirely. 

The softball team is looking to repeat as state champions this year under coach Megan Martinez.  

Asi, who graduated from Millikan’s class of 2024, is currently a sophomore, going into her second year with the Vikings softball team and is pursuing an associate’s in business marketing. 

Though she is currently doing well academically, she was struggling to keep up during her freshman year of college. 

“I will say I did struggle a lot last year, trying to get adjusted to college classes, but I have for sure have gotten a lot better, like I have really got the groove of it,” Asi said. 

Asi began playing baseball around the age of four or five when she lived in American Samoa.

She then moved out to California with her family, and that’s when she was introduced to softball at the age of 7. 

She explained how her sisters were also the reason why she began playing softball. 

“So they (her sisters) were put in softball, so I saw them playing it, and I wanted to play too. They are big role models for me and we actually live together,” Asi said. 

Asi talked about her time in a place where she was going through a lot mentally and she was close to not wanting to play the game she loved so much growing up. 

“I will say last year, I had a little moment where I was really in my head, going through a lot of family things as well. I wasn’t sure that softball was for me anymore, so I took a break, or I basically quit. A little before the season, coach Meg (Megan Martinez) was asking ‘Are you sure? Is this what you want?’” Asi said. 

She continued, “I thought that I was sure that’s what I wanted. Until I realized that in my little break that I really do love softball, and it did a lot for me. And then she (coach Martinez) welcomed me back, thankfully,” Asi said. 

Asi shared what she discovered in her time off, mentioning how softball is a safe place for her. 

“It’s like a community to me, it was like an outside source that I could go to and forget about my outside problems and it was just a very nice environment to be in,” Asi said. 

Lela Asi, an outfielder for theVikings softball team prepares to swing at the Long Beach City College softball field on April 6. (Liam Hollon)

Asi’s mother has been a huge supporter of hers, and when her mom moved to Arizona, it was hard for Asi to adjust and live without seeing her mother there by her side. 

“She does visit me and my sisters when she can, and my other siblings come along as well during their spring break so we can see each other and bond with the amount of time we have,” Asi said.

Although Asi has been getting consistent playing time this year, she has been dealing with a bone contusion that caused a big hematoma on her foot from a line drive caused by one of her teammates during a match. 

“I wasn’t really able to walk or run, so I was out for a game and then I came back to the next. I’ve been the designated hitter for a while, and then I came back onto the field,” Asi said. 

When asked about the leadership and the expectations of playing under a successful coach like Megan Martinez, Asi said, “Be prepared for a lot of tough love from the coaches, they seem like they’re mad at you but it definitely comes from a good spot from their heart. They want the best for you and they do care.” 

Asi did show a lot of applause and appreciation for one of her teammates, Mikaela Pacheco, who is also her best friend and was there for her during her hard moments in life. 

“I have my best friend on the team, who was also my teammate in Millikan, where we met, and she picked me up and she’s always there,” Asi said. 

Going into the final regular season games of the year, Asi is mentally prepared for what’s to come and to be able to defend the team’s state championship.

“Yeah I feel like we’re in a really good spot right now in the season, as we didn’t feel like we were playing well at the start. I feel we do have a good shot at winning or getting second place this year, so it was the groove that we’re currently in right now,” Asi said. 

The Vikings softball team’s stats is currently 29-8 overall, 15-5 in conference, and they are currently on a 12 game winning streak. Their next game will be at home against El Camino on April Tuesday at 2 p.m.. 

They will also go against Santiago Canyon on Wednesday at home at 2:30 p.m..

 

Outfielder for the Vikings softball team Lela Asi cheers for her teammates at the Long Beach City College softball field on April 6. (Liam Hollon)

Social media amplifies causes but doesn’t guarantee change

Chloe Hall
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CORRECTION: An earlier graphic did not meet our standards

From hashtags to mass protests, viral petitions to student-led movements, advocacy dominates public life. 

However, visibility should not be confused with effectiveness. 

The growing gap between activism and tangible action raises a question: Has modern activism become more about signaling than solving? 

Activism is meant to create change. Historically, it has. With the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War protests, public pressure led to cultural and legislative shifts. 

During the Civil Rights Movement, for example, activism reshaped how Americans viewed segregation. What had previously been widely tolerated became morally unacceptable.

However, the legislative shifts are the concrete outcomes. The law, policies and court decisions that resulted from sustained activism in the case of the Civil Rights Movement led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which deconstructed segregation and protected voting rights for Black people.

Similarly, protests during the Vietnam War shifted public opinion about U.S. military involvement abroad. Being critical of war became more normalized, especially for younger generations.

These protests contributed to policy changes like the War Powers Resolution which aimed to limit the president’s engagement in military conflict without congressional approval.

These cultural shifts matter because they redefined what was normal, in turn creating long-term structural change and they redefined how to hold institutions accountable. They were strategic, sustained and tied directly to policy demands. 

Today’s activism operates differently. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have lowered the bar for participation. 

A simple repost or story can signal alignment with a cause in minutes. This new standardized way of activism allows more voices to be heard, however it also risks reducing activism to performative allyship.

Performative allyship, according to Institute for Diversity Certification, is public displays of concern without a meaningful follow-through. 

In a 2020 study titled The Psychology of Online Activism and Social Movements: Relations Between Online and Offline Collective Action, it was found that while online activism increases awareness, it does not consistently translate into offline action or policy engagement. 

The article states, “Several factors moderate whether online and offline activism relate negatively. For instance, online activism does not inhibit offline protest if activists perceive their actions as effective.” 

This relationship only works when online engagement is paired with a clear sense of efficacy and a pathway to act. As the study suggests, digital activism does not inherently suppress offline participation, but it becomes a substitute when individuals feel that their online actions are sufficient. 

According to the study, “The online and offline are typically closely integrated. Indeed, online activism facilitates offline protest by advertising and organising it. Increasingly, this means that mass protests can occur without formal structures (e.g. trade unions).”

The relationship between awareness and action depends on whether activism is structured to move beyond visibility. 

A recent example of this can be seen in the No Kings protests, tied to backlash against anti-democratic rhetoric from Donald Trump. 

Online, the No Kings protests circulated widely across popular social media platforms. Images of the turnout and protest signs at these protests spread in the media and the phrase “No Kings” was used to oppose authoritarian-style leadership. 

However, that visibility didn’t translate into sustained offline engagement. Some demonstrations are organized under the No Kings term, the movement often lacks specific calls to action. 

For example, protests promoted under the No Kings slogan might encourage people to gather and show opposition, but many attendees may leave without clear direction of what to do next in support of their cause. 

But the localized efforts do work. When organizers connect the slogan to concrete steps like driving voter participation in local elections and to coordinate protests, the act becomes measurable. In these movements online activism supports offline action rather than replacing it. 

The issue isn’t the activism itself, it’s the illusion of completion that it creates. 

Social media fosters a sense of moral licensing. Moral licensing refers to an act of good that gives individuals a sense of fulfillment in their ethical responsibility to where it feels that they no longer have to take further action. 

Operating through a different media environment, the speed of information can cycle faster due to the oversaturation of media outlets. Media cycles rapidly go through information making it difficult to focus on creating concrete solutions.

A more productive approach would be to redefine what effective activism looks like. Awareness should be the starting point, not the endpoint. Successful movements integrate multiple layers. This includes education, community organizing, political participation and advocacy. 

Educational institutions can also play a big role. Offering media literacy programs can help students know the difference between sustainable action and engagement. 

Accountability is also an essential part of the solution. Activist-focused accounts could prioritize and track real-world impact. 

They can conduct studies on the actual impact that posts online drive by comparing the traction that causes have online compared to how many people actually show up in person to protest or how many are actually making calls to representatives. 

They can then share these studies through online platforms and in person through opportunities like handing out flyers. These organizations already know how to design infographics and gain attention through creative ways like slogans. 

As a society, we need to call out those who are performative and not praise a repost, a like, or a story post from others, but also hold celebrities accountable who do the same, since they have such a large impact on others. 

Making not only engagement, but impact, visible could shift to meaningful real-world participation. 

Ultimately, activism does not replace action but it can obscure what true action looks like. Posting is easy. Organizing is harder. Advocacy must move beyond awareness and into action where change can actually happen.

Meyer Shank Racing dominates day two of Long Beach Grand Prix with IMSA win and IndyCar poll

Liam Hollon
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Meyer Shank Racing dominates day two of Long Beach Grand Prix with IMSA win and IndyCar poll

Motorsports team Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) dominated the second day of the Long Beach Grand Prix, notching both a victory in the IMSA race and the pole position for Sunday’s NTT IndyCar race. 

Leading the way for Meyer Shank Racing’s IMSA team were drivers Nick Yelloly and Renger Van Der Zande, who pursued through an action packed race, full of cautions. 

“The risk I took in traffic was high to get the gap and when I was through traffic, the yellow came, so that wasn’t very good,” Van Der Zande said. 

Driver Renger Van Der Zande and his son celebrate his win following the IMSA race on Saturday at the Long Beach Grand Prix. (Liam Hollon)

The team’s aggressive driving paid off in the end, as Van Der Zande managed to hold off the rest of the pack through all of the restarts in the final 45 minutes and secured a much needed victory. 

This win is also a crucial step in the hunt to meet the Porsches at the top of the leader board, who have been dominating early in the IMSA season. 

MSA driver in the GTP class, Renger Van Der Zande, hoists the checkered flag at the winners’ circle on Saturday after he and his teammate, Nick Yelloly, won the race. (Liam Hollon)

The other standout performance of the day for the MSR team was in the IndyCar circuit, where Felix Rosenqvist qualified for the pole position for Sunday’s race. 

“It’s amazing how we went into this weekend saying we need a little turnaround because we haven’t been quick and we came out better than expected,” Rosenqvist said. 

IndyCar driver Felix Rosenqvist drives his car around the circuit during qualifying at the Long Beach Grand Prix on Saturday. Rosenqvist had the fastest lap, earning himself pole position for Sunday’s race.  (Liam Hollon)

Rosenqvist also noted the difficulty that comes with racing on a demanding street course like Long Beach. 

“It’s just so tight. One little mistake and you’re out of the mix,” Rosenqvist said. 

During the qualifying session, a new fast 6 format was introduced, in which the six fastest qualifiers would each drive one lap to determine who would win the pole.

“I think it turned out pretty cool. It feels like you’re on ice which is kind of cool because it’s the same for everyone,” Rosenqvist said. 

The race for poll position was very close, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward placing second and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou qualifying third, both one tenth of a second behind Rosenqvist. 

On a course like Long Beach, the pole position is key as passing can come quite sparingly on such a tight race track.

The IndyCar race will begin at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, where the rest of the IndyCar field will fight to steal back the spotlight from the Meyer Shank Racing team.

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