Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: Empathy and social media don’t mix

Oct. 13, 2015

So, Will Grier. Following the announcement that Monday’s press conference would be pushed back in order to acknowledge Grier’s suspension for violating the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s substance-abuse policy, social media was alight with memes and missives expressing disappointment and anger. While UF students worked through their grief, Florida State University students tried to spin the moment as a justification for their own former star quarterback Jameis Winston’s immoral behavior — it didn’t stick.

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 | CARTOONS

Not all college friendships will last, and that’s OK

Oct. 12, 2015

Two years ago, in my first college psychology course, I learned about Dunbar’s number.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: Gun laws, restroom rhetoric and the cowardice of anonymity

Oct. 12, 2015

On the door of the middle stall in the first floor men’s restroom at Weimer Hall, there hangs a piece of paper. Normally we wouldn’t pay much attention to bathroom scripture, for, after all, it’s usually only good for poop jokes and hastily scrawled phone numbers that promise a "good time." Bathroom graffiti and musings are eminently disposable, an artistic outlet for those who couldn’t cut it tagging overpasses on I-95. But sometimes you see something so — if you will — shitty, so awful, you can’t help but be compelled to write about it in your college newspaper.

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 | EDITORIALS

The flu ought to bring UF to a grinding halt

Oct. 11, 2015

The Fall Flu: Even if you’ve never had it, you’ve certainly come into close contact with it. For those of you who are new to UF — or just have really strong immune systems — the Fall Flu is the annual time of year when cold- and flu-like symptoms ravage the Student Body. Some call it Gator Flu or, even more charmingly, the UF Plague. GPAs are crippled, dates are ruined, everything becomes miserable for a solid week or so and Netflix (note the absence of "chill") becomes one’s top weekend priority.

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 | DARTS LAURELS

Darts and Laurels: 10/09/2015

Oct. 8, 2015

In 1998, DMX asked the nation, "Where my dogs at?" In 2015, we can’t help but make a similar inquiry: "Where our Gators at?" Before you answer that question, it’s time for this week’s edition of…

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 | EDITORIALS

Editorial: The right to die is a testament to effective legislation

Oct. 7, 2015

This past Monday, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation that marked California as the fifth state to permit physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Under the new law — which has been coined the "End of Life Option Act" — patients who have been diagnosed as having six months or less to live by two doctors can purchase lethal medication to end their lives if and when they please.

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 | EDITORIALS

Editorial: SG, we do our jobs — now you do yours

Oct. 6, 2015

Late last night, outgoing Student Government Senate President Davis Bean gave his goodbye speech. Bean had the opportunity to speak at length about UF: what the university has taught him, what he’s gained from his time working for it and the wonderful Student Body he’s ostensibly worked to provide for would have all been suitable, substantive and daresay inspirational subjects. Instead, Bean delivered a speech that would have made Donald Trump blush. Flushed with self-congratulatory musings and utter contempt for anyone who dared disagree with him, Bean took his farewell speech, something normally seen as an opportunity for grace and class, and instead chose to run through his personal hit list, with the Alligator among his targets.