Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

SG executive branch applications close Wednesday: Here's what you can apply for

By Zachariah Chou | Mar. 29, 2018

The executive branch is the bee’s knees when it comes to running Student Government programming and getting things done. Now that there is a new SG administration coming in soon, applications are open for agency heads, cabinet directorships and executive secretaries. Judicial branch positions are open as well (the judicial branch officials are picked by the executive branch).

OPINION | COLUMNS

The NFL has work to do before it goes overseas

Mar. 29, 2018

This upcoming August, English soccer club Tottenham Hotspur will open its massive new stadium. But what makes the new 64,000-seat facility noteworthy is the large fingerprint left on it by the NFL.

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘The Office’ doesn’t get love and relationships right

Mar. 27, 2018

This past weekend, I watched a lot of episodes of “The Office.” Episodes of this show are like potato chips — just one is never enough. And, pretty soon a third of the bag is gone. That’s how this weekend went for me: I blinked, and I’d watched five episodes in a row.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Make sure you know what can actually be recycled

Mar. 25, 2018

From as early as elementary school, we were correctly taught to minimize our negative impact on the environment. We were also told recycling is a fundamental way to do so. Somewhere along the line, however, in the hopes of teaching as many people as possible to recycle, its original purpose was lost.

OPINION | COLUMNS

To better children's education, pay attention to how much they eat

Mar. 25, 2018

I took for granted that, throughout my childhood and teenage years, I could stroll into the kitchen, open up the refrigerator and find something to eat within seconds. I’ve never understood the true meaning of the word “starving.” I’ve never worried about having access to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for all kids in this country. And this is something we need to address at the local, state and national levels.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Wait, so what is Student Government Senate?

By Zachariah Chou | Mar. 22, 2018

I ask myself the question posed in the headline all the time. I suppose it’d probably be good for me to have it out there somewhere on the internet for the poor souls who miss out on our Student Government Preview tabling.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A study finds black men in American still face pervasive systemic racism

Mar. 22, 2018

Last week, the New York Times published a story about a study that had harrowing implications for black boys and cements the idea of white privilege and racism creating unfair disparities in our society. It seems, even if he is raised in a wealthy family, a black boy is trapped in poverty. Now it’s time to get beyond simple descriptions of inequality and think of how we got here and what’s next.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Music leaks are now the norm, but justifying them can get messy

Mar. 22, 2018

One week after his in-depth interview touched on the issues of monetary and corporate influence on the music industry, Julian Casablancas’ new album leaked online. Casablancas’ band, The Voidz, is set to release their second album March 30. The album met the fate nearly all anticipated releases face these days: leaks.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let’s embrace the power of romantic comedies

Mar. 20, 2018

Romantic comedies: We all know them, but not everyone loves them.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Stop telling women feminism and reality television are mutually exclusive

Mar. 20, 2018

It’s 2018, and for some reason, men are still dictating what constitutes good taste. This is a well-kept secret, but it’s evident in the way we as a society talk about entertainment. Work produced by women, or with women in mind, is cast away — categorized — as less valuable.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Our love of Stephen Hawking isn't scientific

Mar. 20, 2018

On March 14, Stephen Hawking passed away. He received a lot of attention on social media, complete with lots of praise for what he accomplished. Hawking was a theoretical physicist who studied black holes and time. He was famous for applying Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum mechanics to the beginnings of time, which he predicted was a singularity that exploded (in other words: the Big Bang). He was also famous for his work on the nature of black holes.

OPINION | COLUMNS

When teachers speak, we need to listen

Mar. 18, 2018

Lots of news can get lost in the shuffle these days, but I hope this piece won’t. Beginning late last month and stretching past the first week of March, teachers across West Virginia went on strike to demand better salaries, benefits and a stop to charter-school expansion, among other demands.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The negative mental health effect of an unwanted pregnancy is worse than that of an abortion

Mar. 18, 2018

A new landmark study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shows that abortions in the U.S. are safe and have few complications. It examines the four major methods used for abortions in this country, as well as women’s care from before the procedure through follow-up care.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Are alligators more dangerous than you think?

Mar. 18, 2018

In 1947, Dr. Ross Allen, founder of The Reptile Institute at Silver Springs, donated an alligator nicknamed “Albert” to the University of Florida. Before kickoff of every home football game, Albert was strapped to a leash and would lead the team onto the field. He was then kept on the sidelines for the rest of the game. A chain-link pen was even built near Century Tower to keep the gator.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Here are some reasons you should care about Student Government at UF

By Zachariah Chou | Mar. 15, 2018

Perhaps you’re just a plebeian, going in and out of the Reitz Union and Southwest Recreation Center, showing up to various general body meetings of clubs and riding the bus. Maybe you’re a power user of Student Government services, taking advantage of our school’s free New York Times subscriptions and subsidized late-night Uber services (Google “UF Safe Rides” if you don’t know what I’m talking about, and thank me later).

OPINION | COLUMNS

Don't be paralyzed by the unknown, but rather inspired by possibilities

Mar. 13, 2018

In a culture that worships people who “have it together,” it seems as though today’s millennials and Gen Zers have been conditioned to fear uncertainty as if it were the plague.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let's fight for women to be heard — and when the time comes, remembered

Mar. 13, 2018

Charlotte Bronte, Henrietta Lacks and Ida B. Wells: You’ve probably heard these names because of the notable contributions they gave the world during their lives. However, they were forgotten after they died. At least by one of the country’s most widely circulated newspapers.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Trump’s presidency has become reality TV

Mar. 13, 2018

One of the main points of criticisms I hear of President Donald Trump is his unseemly and unpresidential behavior. He is not a smooth talker. He tweets more than a teenager does, gives disparaging nicknames to his political opponents and is drowning in scandal. The list could go on for miles. Trump, a reality TV star who once made an appearance on World Wrestling Entertainment, does not fit the position of president of any country, let alone the United States, people often say. And I agree with them.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We must continue our activism efforts on gun reform

By Mia Gettenberg | Mar. 11, 2018

Two facts. First, last week Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill raising the minimum age for purchasing rifles in Florida from 18 to 21. The bill also expanded the handgun waiting period to cover long guns, ban bump stocks and create a program allowing some school personnel to carry guns (I guess we can’t have it all).

OPINION | COLUMNS

Women of color are fundamental to feminism, which is for all women

By Madisyn Jones | Mar. 11, 2018

As you scrolled through social media Thursday, you probably noticed a post here and there about someone’s mother, sister or best friend. The post likely acknowledged their strength, beauty or any of their characteristics.