Measure everything: Moving struggles teach simple life lesson
There’s nothing quite like that feeling I get when I see a garage sale sign. There aren’t really words to explain it, but I like to think it’s as close to euphoria as one can come. I struck real gold with this one. What started out as a hunt for dishes for my new apartment turned into the center piece of the whole living room. I’d never seen such a beautiful armoire, but I wanted it the minute I saw it. It looked like something right off of HGTV. The off-white shabby chic look was nothing short of fabulous, and the full length mirrors added to the elegance and sophistication. Little did I know that the shabby chic look was soon to become authentic. On moving day, I couldn’t have been prouder. This … Read entire article »
I’m not the ‘media lesbian’: Media portrayals trivialize lesbianism
I am not the first open lesbian to endure a man presuming I can be coaxed into sex, and I will not be the last. Fortunately, I don’t experience this very often. Most men are respectful, but a stigma remains that lesbians cannot be exclusively attracted to other females. This false perception doesn’t come out of thin air. Lesbianism has been trivialized by skewed representation in the media, specifically movies and television. Suddenly, the stigma attached to intimacy between women took a complete 180 in entertainment. The infamous kiss between Madonna and Britney Spears was only a precursor to an influx of girl-on-girl media. American audiences are now bombarded with depictions of lesbianism. Viewers may not notice until watching “Mean Girls” a tenth time, but two girls are shown locking lips for a split … Read entire article »
Obama-Romney video wars: Mitt Romney makes a valid point about the 47 percent
A video of Mitt Romney stating 47 percent of the country will automatically vote for President Obama, because they are dependent on government aid, was released last Monday. This percentage refers to the share of Americans who do not pay federal income taxes, many of whom receive government financial assistance. The video was secretly taped at a fundraiser dinner party in May, attended by contributors to his campaign. He was clearly speaking to please them. The video went viral, and Romney has been under public attack since then. The Republican Party retaliated by sharing a video of President Obama speaking at Loyola University in 1998 about how he agrees with redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor. While many college students focus on issues of marriage equality, abortion, financial aid and health … Read entire article »
Legal drinking age not arbitrary
Many undergraduates are in a college setting for several years before they turn 21. This poses problems when going out with friends because of the legal drinking age, which is why many 18- to 20-year-olds want the drinking age lowered to 18. This should not be done for a variety of legal and health-related reasons. The U.S. implemented the Uniform Drinking Age Act in 1984, and since then, there has been a large decrease in underage alcohol-related traffic injuries and fatalities, according to a 2011 article in the Journal of American College Health. The same article explains in the years following the Act, placing the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) at 21 has reduced underage drivers’ rates of drunk driving 37 percent more than drivers ages 25 to 54, and 13 percent more … Read entire article »
51st and Troost: Dangerous intersection for pedestrians and motorists alike
Many students cross the intersection of 51st Street and Troost Avenue on their commutes to campus. This intersection consists of a two-way stop on 51st Street, where drivers must yield to cross-traffic on Troost. With speed limits differentiating by 10 mph on these two streets — one is 35 mph and the other is 25 mph — a traffic light with a crosswalk would be a good safety measure. Hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians daily must fend for themselves as they attempt to cross Troost without being struck by a car. Cars and pedestrians on either side of Troost wait several minutes for a chance to cross the street. One must be aggressive when crossing especially during rush hours, when motorists often exceed the speed limits. Students walking to class are sometimes … Read entire article »
Lower drinking age could mean safer consumption
In 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which changed the national legal alcohol purchase and consumption age to 21. Though states were not required to comply, those which did not change the drinking age to 21 were threatened with losing 10 percent of their federal highway money. Though the act successfully reduced traffic fatalities related to drunk driving accidents, underage drinking has not stopped. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, underage drinking accounts for 17.5 percent ($22.5 billion) of consumer spending for alcohol in the U.S. Lowering the drinking age to 18 would allow 18-to-20-year-olds to consume alcohol safely in regulated environments, with supervision. Since the drinking age is 21, underage college students often consume alcohol in unsupervised spaces, such as house parties, where binge drinking … Read entire article »
Thoughts about online classes :
Commuter students need flexibility: UMKC is primarily a commuter campus and making the drive can be extremely grueling at times. Not many students jump up and down with excitement at the thought of having to get out of his or hercomfy beds and head to class. Not to mention morning traffic or the constant fear of dying when the solid ice roads are not a valid excuse for a snow day. These problems could be solved by enrolling in online classes. Virtual coursesare available at the student’s convenience, so a trip to campus is not required. Classes taken online can be completed at the student’s preferred pace. For example, I knocked out a three-credit philosophy class in a month, This was not because the content was easy but because I did everything … Read entire article »
Filed under: Forum
Generation Y’s ‘Dream Deferred’ : It’s time to put hope into action
This year’s campaigns make one obvious point: America suffers from disillusionment. It’s easy to understand why many college students despise politics: They’re annoying. The choice between two parties representing vastly different views—and on some issues, views not different enough—is contrived. I like to compare elections to a school cafeteria menu. The choices are usually predictable, institutional, bland and made from the same low-quality bulk ingredients. Politician’s overlook a host of issues important to young adults. Our efficacy as future leaders hinges on the decisions made by the generations before us. Voter turnout is highest among ages 50 and up. The average age of a U.S. senator is 60—the oldest it has ever been, and the average age of a Representative is 55, the oldest in more than a century. President Obama is an exception. Obama’s optimism and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Forum
Cost of name change needs to be justified
Chancellor Leo Morton announced a name change proposal in May for the University of Missouri – Kansas City. The change from UMKC to the University of Kansas City is speculated to raise awareness about the university and attract the most “talented students,” according to Morton. Although the chancellor may have valid reasons to back up his beliefs, this proposed change has a much greater downside. The primary concern is the unnecessary cost of the change, along with several smaller issues. This is not to criticize the chancellor or the university, but it is still important to acknowledge the opinions of the student body. When University of Missouri – Rolla changed names, the cost totaled about $500,000. UMKC insists financing will come from private donors and tuition would not increase to fund the potential … Read entire article »
Filed under: Forum
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