Opinion

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The role of education and its necessary securities

I align ideologically with Thomas Jefferson’s principles of free inquiry through the role of education, however, I find it necessary to establish the safety of citizens beforehand. In the case of education, information in college courses can be potentially harmful to specific minorities. Professors should have careful consideration in what they decide to relay to their students. 

The invisible lid freshmen forget exist

In my first weeks at UF, I've noticed an overwhelming sentiment among freshmen: people you don't know suddenly feel much more approachable. In some ways, I've felt this myself. I have almost surely spoken to more people in the last week than all of my years of high school combined. 

Just say no to 2

Amendment 2 is written with a hokeyness that smells of warm apple pie and waves Old Glory to make us cozy up to the idea that fishing and hunting must be constitutional, even though these rights as a statute have never been questioned.

When will the Sasse apologists admit they were wrong?

The disastrous and short-lived Sasse presidency came as no surprise to the majority of students, faculty and campus workers who opposed his appointment for its lack of transparency and his lack of qualification.

Nikki Fried is fried on Amendment 3

CORRECTION: This column has been updated to reflect that Nikki Fried is not leading support for Amendment 3 for legal marijuana. Fried and the Florida Democrat Party have not endorsed Amendment 3. Previously, Fried has shown support for legalizing recreational cannabis. 

When a billionaire calls, UF censors students.

On Aug. 23, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) wrote a scathing public letter to UF General Counsel Amy Meyers Hass after discovering that she ordered the ALPFA to delete their Instagram post related to my visit. Why? Because my billionaire ex-boss David Einhorn demanded it. FIRE didn’t mince words about the illegality of Meyers Hass’ censorship: “This order violates the First Amendment.”

Kamala Harris will save the world

The Democratic and Republican National Conventions offered Americans two wildly different visions for the future of our great nation. 

RNC, DNC disappoint constituents

Once every four years, the two biggest teams in America put on the biggest shows in the country. Each flexing their accomplishments and wins of the previous years to sell a vision to Americans for their future. These events of showmanship are the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention. From porn stars to presidents, the conventions brought big names in front of the country and gave their best shot at putting their candidate in the most powerful office in the world.

Florida volleyball starts regular season in style

 In its first regular season match of 2024, Florida volleyball prevailed, battled Colorado State Friday.

Call for columnists

The Alligator opinions section thrives on local and student voices.

The chase for prestige: a required cost or misallocation

Ben Sasse, former president at University of Florida, sent out a public statement via X on July 18, stating he decided to resign after 17 months due to a long history of family health issues. I first felt surprised and melancholy. However, I looked back at an insightful lesson my professor taught me which is “Gators have thick skin.” This means to become resilient during challenging times. 

Welcome back, students!

OK, so it’s not SO quiet. But what is generally missing is the sound of your voices. What is missing is your energy. You transform this place, and we’re glad you’re back. From my first days as a lecturer and graduate student, I’ve been involved in higher education for 36 years, and still, the first days of class never get old.

For this fall, a wish for joy

It seems right that The Alligator invited me to write a column welcoming students back to campus, because like many of you, I’m also coming back.

Why selling my soul to The Alligator was worth every act of kindness

My love letter to the Alligator

It’s hard to distill just how life-changing the Alligator has been these past two years.

Leaving the heart of journalism after two years

As I take the next step in my journalism career, I will never forget the people and the place that took a chance on me as a young journalist. The Alligator was a huge part of my first two years at college. I spent every semester, including the summers, covering sports I am passionate about and improving my journalistic skills. I still remember the day my first article about the UF golf team was published, and it was a moment that I will cherish forever because it further ignited my love for storytelling. As a freshman who knew little about journalism, The Alligator welcomed me with open arms and inspired me to become a better writer. 

Chance and comic misunderstanding: My journey at the Alligator

I joined the Alligator believing I wanted to be better than it.

Passing down the pen and paper

I used to say my goal in life was to leave a legacy. If death came knocking at my door, I wanted to be able to say people would remember me fondly for the things I did. 

Our interwoven legacy/Nuestro legado entretejido

Like an intricately woven quilt, the key to any community is honoring and highlighting the shared experiences that bind us together despite our differences in background. The Alligator always seeks to create equitable, accessible coverage of the UF and Gainesville communities, stitching together well-loved and worn traditions with the issues facing us today.

Preventing the well of well-run organizing from running dry

Hinting upon this idea last time as I spoke of how intersectionality can help us in the fight against burnout, bringing new members into the fold of leadership is more important than ever. As I, and a plethora of other organizers scramble to help build new leadership, I can’t help but think of the path I took to my current place and how to acclimate others to the difficult job of navigating activism in Florida.