Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gun control reform is muddled by spin zones

Oct. 14, 2015

Last week, presidential candidate and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson made a string of comments on the shooting in Oregon. One of Dr. Carson’s claims was if the Jews in Nazi Germany had been armed, then Hitler’s plans for the Holocaust would have been greatly diminished. This line of inane rhetoric is nothing new, with many in the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun lobby groups citing this ill-thought-out hypothetical for several years.

OPINION | COLUMNS

From President Fuchs: A new path may lead to wonderful possibilities

Oct. 14, 2015

College is where you find your life passion and follow your dreams. Unfortunately, after 42 years as a university student, professor and administrator, I haven’t yet discovered my life passion, and I’m not following a dream.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let's redefine consent to combat rape culture

Oct. 14, 2015

Last week, UF Student Government coordinated a series of events in accordance with Sexual Assault Awareness Week. Events held during the week included a panel in which survivors of sexual assault spoke of their experiences and the prevalence of the trend.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Columbus: the prototypical American

Oct. 13, 2015

The recent commemoration of Columbus Day, rightly rebranded to Indigenous Peoples Day by nine prominent cities in the country, provides an excellent point of reflection as to who Americans are and what exactly America is.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Politics continue to Trump common sense

Oct. 13, 2015

Somehow, these names don’t fit together: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Donald Trump. However, many polls measuring the presidential race predict Trump will soon be sitting alongside some of the greatest leaders who built this very country. So, as hundreds of thousands of Americans visit Mount Vernon and Monticello today, I have to ask: Will we be taking our children to visit the Trump Tower?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Don’t mess with Nicki Minaj

Oct. 13, 2015

Last week, celebrity profile writer Vanessa Grigoriadis interviewed rap superstar Nicki Minaj for "The New York Times" in an article titled "The Passion of Nicki Minaj." No big deal, right? Wrong.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A US air raid, a leveled Afghan hospital and no clear answers in sight

Oct. 12, 2015

Last Wednesday marked the 14th anniversary of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. While officially as old as this year’s high school freshman class, the conflict seems to only be getting worse.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Guest Column: Pop-up culture enthralling

Oct. 12, 2015

When I came to UF two years ago, I had no plans of continuing with art because my parents made it seem like it was something that should be left behind in my childhood years.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Faith has its place on college campuses

Oct. 11, 2015

Faith is a subject many students brush aside or simply disregard. School and job opportunities and personal experiences leave little time for spiritual contemplation.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Turlington and the totalitarian architecture

Oct. 11, 2015

"In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first." — Frederick Winslow Taylor, "Principles of Scientific Management"

OPINION | COLUMNS

Equal opportunity still doesn’t exist

Oct. 11, 2015

Equality of opportunity is often cited to undermine criticisms pertaining to the lack of women or people of color in positions of power and in certain professions. Pretending we live in a post-racial and post-sexist society does not make it so. Gender, race, sexuality and socio-economic status can affect the kind of opportunities a person has. The idea of equality of opportunity in the U.S. is a myth. Although things have certainly improved with time, there is still much that prevents equal opportunity from being a reality.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Well-known ‘subversive’ artist Banksy really isn’t

Oct. 8, 2015

I’ve got a bone to pick.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s on us: Stop shaming survivors

Oct. 8, 2015

Last Saturday, I was called a "cunt."

OPINION | COLUMNS

John Kasich is the dark horse candidate of the Republican Party

Oct. 8, 2015

While it is still relatively early in the primary season, I think I am ready to place my bet on who will eventually be the Republican candidate for 2016: John Kasich. You may know him from his comments about going to a same-sex wedding in the first Republican debate, but otherwise he has not made a lot of waves in the Republican race so far.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pre-Meds: How are you going to stand out?

Oct. 7, 2015

It’s a question as harrowing as the MCAT itself: How are you going to distinguish yourself?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Press coverage of mass shootings leave neuro-divergent on margins

Oct. 7, 2015

Mass shooting after mass shooting, the news media boils the trend down to an issue of mental illness. How do they continually get it so wrong?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Our gun culture is terroristic and growing

Oct. 6, 2015

Last week, in response to the latest in a long series of mass shootings, various media outlets posted infographics that juxtaposed the number of Americans killed by guns with the number killed by terrorist acts.

OPINION | COLUMNS

John Boehner’s resignation presents trouble

Oct. 6, 2015

About two weeks ago, John Boehner held a press conference after Pope Francis addressed Congress. A practically cheerful Boehner replaced the weeping one from the previous day as he announced his plan to leave Congress at the end of October. While many expected the speaker to be ousted by the Tea Party bloc of his party, no one could have foreseen Boehner leaving on such an abrupt note.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Social media is pretty awesome, helps curate human existence

Oct. 6, 2015

On Monday, I participated in a research study. This was not your average, answer-these-three-questions-please-to-save-my-grade type of survey you see plastered all over Facebook.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Christianity and gay marriage: Embrace the change

Oct. 5, 2015

Ever since the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, the radical Christian community has exploded in outrage. Christian public figures like Franklin Graham and Joel Osteen contend the foundations of Christianity itself are under attack.