Opinion
Choose public health over personal beliefs: Get vaccinated
Feb. 23, 2015Last week, Andrew Silver wrote a column in which he argued that veganism should be considered a religion so that vegans would have a civil right to refuse vaccinations. While I appreciate Silver’s interesting perspective on the issue, his column failed to address crucial aspects about vaccinations and the value they hold in our society.
New media is actually dressed-up, old media
Feb. 23, 2015We live with the entirety of human knowledge and history in our pockets. We live in a dynamic, flexible time in which a person can communicate with anyone in the world on the Internet. Our lives are constantly changing with technology that is produced at a high rate. But, with regard to entertainment, it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.
The Oscars was a flop; in desperate need for progress, equality
Feb. 23, 2015Who else watched Neil Patrick Harris flaunt his body live on TV on Sunday night?
We're closer than ever to past and present, and yet further removed
Feb. 22, 2015Last week I got the opportunity to experience something few students do in their time here at UF: Library East.
This week's Dart & Laurels: Hip-hop, AP history and guns
Feb. 19, 2015Between the general cold, gray raininess, cramming for midterms and the contentious Student Government season, this week has been a real bitch. We’re glad it’s finally coming to an end, which means it’s time for this week’s
Mid-semester slump hurting work ethic
Feb. 19, 2015Good writing emerges from honesty. The written word, or at least written word worth reading, should be a reflection of the writer’s innermost anxieties, hopes and dreams.
Response to Silver’s veganism and vaccine column
Feb. 19, 2015The argument made by Andrew Silver in his editorial “Refusing vaccines for veganism is a right” is ignoring a crucial part to the premise. He states that, if an outbreak occurs, then the unvaccinated employee should be put on paid leave or work from home (or in his case, excused from classes). Silver seems to think very highly of himself, and apparently believes that UF does also. Unfortunately, it’s not all about him or his dietary ethics.
Condom sense: Please use protection
Feb. 19, 2015The week before sophomore year started, I decided I was finally an adult, and it was high time that I purchased my own box of condoms. Prior to that, I had always relied on the free condoms from the health center or crossed my fingers that my partner would bring some.
Legislators’ aim to ban AP classes is just a political game that ignores reality
Feb. 19, 2015The Oklahoma Legislature is hard at work this year creating the greatest education system in the nation. How will they go about it, you ask? They are trying to ban Advanced Placement classes. Yes, the classes many of you took in high school just for the opportunity to attend UF may soon be banned in Oklahoma.
Student organization support of Muslims is hypocritical
Feb. 19, 2015The fatal shooting of Deah Shaddy Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and her sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha has sparked outrage. While mainstream media is still portraying the incident as a killing over a “parking dispute,” we know that this was a hate crime against the Muslim community. In turn, many communities are condemning Islamophobia. But what does their condemnation actually mean? A vigil at UF that happened Friday evening was endorsed by many different student organizations, including the Jewish Student Union and J Street UF, two organizations that actively perpetuate Islamophobia through their acceptance and funding of Israeli apartheid. What needs to be understood is that one cannot claim to stand in solidarity with the Muslim community while simultaneously supporting Zionism and Israeli state-sponsored terrorism against the Muslim world.
Prohibited Student Government debate recordings an injustice to voters
Feb. 18, 2015On Tuesday night about 500 people packed into the University Auditorium for the Student Government and Freshman Leadership Council candidate debate.
Debate should be filmed
Feb. 18, 2015One and a half percent. That’s the percentage of UF students who showed up to watch the Student Government debate Tuesday based on the 500-person estimate by this publication. The Freshman Leadership Council is claiming that the debate was not recorded in any manner — text, audio or video — to protect the integrity of the debate. I was told that the Alligator live-tweeted the event, which is fantastic except that Twitter is nothing but sound bites, and a paper can only print so big of an article. Where is the integrity of an event if 98.5 percent of the university cannot see it in its entirety?
Accent lacks speaker, acknowledgement of Women’s History Month
Feb. 17, 2015Accent Speaker’s Bureau has reliably brought us great guests over the years. Thanks to the group’s work, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting such illustrious and enviable personalities as Carl Hiaasen, Kurt Vonnegut, George Takei, Queen Latifah, Dr. Kevorkian and Ben & Jerry — yes, THAT Ben & Jerry. Next week, they’ll be bringing us James Franco, who will converse with J-school professor and de facto journalism guru Mike Foley.
Trans women of color are overwhelming oppressed, even more ignored
Feb. 17, 2015Our current sociopolitical climate is confusing and sometimes paradoxical. I’d like to believe that legislation reflects popular opinion or, at the very least, is protective and just. The shortsighted have praised marriage equality gains as a reliable sign of progress. But many are quick to forget the end of the LGBTQ+ acronym.
Dietary supplements are not required to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Feb. 17, 2015February is always a challenging month to push through. It’s not just because of the cute couples who meander through campus and remind you that you are, in fact, single.
Refusing vaccination for veganism is a civil right
Feb. 17, 2015An Ohio hospital fired a 58-year-old vegan customer service representative for refusing a flu shot in 2010. She sued the hospital for religious discrimination.
Past lynchings are still part of our present
Feb. 16, 2015On a hot, muggy, summer day in Georgia, two black couples were seized by a mob of white men. They were taken to a clearing overlooking a nearby river — the Apalachee, some 15 miles from where the University of Georgia stands today. There, they were tied up and shot to death — the coroner’s report estimated they were shot as many as 60 times. One of the women was pregnant; though it isn’t certain, some reports claim the unborn child was ripped out from her body.
NY Fashion Week: Walk in my Yeezys
Feb. 16, 2015Last Thursday in New York City, Adidas let down its front during its fashion show to let everyone know that Yeezy Season was approaching once again.
Online shaming is shameful itself, only ruins strangers’ lives
Feb. 16, 2015How many tweets does it take to ruin a life? Apparently, just one.


