Opinion

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Just Laurels: Halloween

Halloween is finally over.

Halloween lives on in American Horror Story

Halloween has unfortunately passed, but its spirit has yet to move on to the afterlife.

Avoid the temptation of all-nighters

It’s exam season at UF. Students are crowding the libraries and voraciously consuming books and study guides to prepare for the big day. Some of these students pull all-nighters to study, forgoing sleep and staying up all night to prepare. I’m here to tell you that not only are all-nighters a poor method of studying, but that there are much better options available.

Be safe and spooky this Halloween

Halloween may be fun, but sexual assault isn’t. With the number of reported incidents of nonconsensual sexual contact increasing this year at UF, we urge everyone to be careful this weekend. Try to have fun with your friends, but make sure to keep an eye out as well. Most sexual assaults reported by college women are caused by someone they know. These monsters are human.

Controversy over Warren’s discrimination story misses the point

Earlier this month, a controversy started brewing over whether Sen. Elizabeth Warren lied about being fired for being pregnant. But, does this discussion miss the point?

All about coming out

On Oct. 11, we celebrated National Coming Out Day. Oh, how happy I am to live in a time and place where coming out as LGBTQ+ is not only tolerated, but something to be proud of. 

Photojournalism’s future is uncertain in the digital age

Professional photography isn’t dead, it’s just becoming less appreciated. Newsrooms across the nation are letting go of their professional photographers in favor of less expensive freelancers and amateur photographers. Jobs in photography are decreasing, and photojournalists could be replaced by pretty much anyone with a smartphone. 

Counseling is for everyone

I went into counseling not knowing what I would get out of it or how it could really benefit me. This might sound naïve, but it’s easy to convince ourselves that we’ve thought through everything and don’t need anyone else to explain what’s going on. In reality, just about everyone can benefit from therapy, even in a totally stress-free life. 

Darts and Laurels: Oct. 25

As you patiently wait for your order, you can’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable. 

Pride may have flaws, but it’s still a community

It’s almost too hard to believe that a few years ago, many of the freedoms gained by the LGBTQ+ community would be illegal or even considered insane. 

The Hidden Costs of Natural Hair

For some reason, there always seems to be some pushback when things don't fall in straight lines, including hair. 

Letter to The Editor: The impact of climate change on birds

As a Florida resident, the impacts of climate change on my immediate environment are not lost on me. As an avid bird watcher, the impacts of climate change on the local bird communities are also not lost on me. One of the potential effects of climate change is an increased intensity of natural disasters. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated Florida’s coastline, and I experienced firsthand the changing sand and vegetation composition. Shorebirds, such as terns, were heavily affected because their breeding grounds are on these beaches.

Food affects your health, but it also impacts the Earth

All bodies are beautiful. Earth, on the other hand, hasn’t been looking so hot — unless you count global warming, of course. Whether it’s carbon dioxide emissions or the burning of one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, we’re making the world uglier every day. At this point, it seems we don’t really have a grasp on what’s important, especially when it comes to food.

The problems that come after #MeToo

No one likes being ignored. It’s one of the most annoying things you can do to a person, other than completely misinterpreting something they’ve said. This is especially annoying when it relates to one of the most important movements in modern history.

Halloween movies you need to watch

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and there are dozens of movies to watch to get you into the holiday spirit. It’s spooky season, and we can honor the ghouls and goblins this month by watching proper seasonal films.

Getting rowdy for intersectional feminism

Why we should strive to be more like this president

In honor of former President Jimmy Carter’s 95th birthday Oct. 1, I would like to take a moment to discuss the most underrated president in modern U.S. history. His presidency is often considered a failure, despite all of its successes. Carter was ahead of his time with his foresight into climate change and human rights, serving as president from 1977 to 1981. It would be difficult to find someone who cares more about this nation than Carter.

The modern risks of caring in a dangerous world

It’s dangerous to care.

American health care compared to the rest of the world

In the U.S., health care can be quite expensive. The total amount spent on health care last year was $3.65 trillion. U.S. health care expenditures for 2018 were nearly 17 percent of the gross domestic product. This is almost twice the average cost of other countries’ health care within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Why is health insurance so expensive in our country, and how do our costs compare to health care costs around the world?

You should still care about the environment

On Sept. 20, a youth climate strike of unprecedented proportions stood at the forefront of the world stage. Now, two weeks later, that energy has died down to some degree in Gainesville’s corner of the world. This is a shame, because it’s our generation's responsibility to enact the change. The private sector still needs to be held accountable, the government still needs to be pressured and public sentiment still needs to be changed: and here lies the purpose of the Climate Reality Project.