The Conservative and Liberal sides of the aisle share very little in common, and what little we did have in common may seem lost after the last election. However, I believe that one concept they can agree on is both sides want the world to be a better place. National and state politics aside, there… Continue reading Finding common ground and community: a guide to the beginning of economic recovery of rural Tennessee
Category: Columns
Why ‘Black Lives Matter’ to young white people, an open letter: the origin of ‘Black Lives Matter’
In August 2014, a Ferguson Missouri police officer, Darren Wilson, shot and killed 18 year-old Michael Brown, pumping between six and eight rounds of ammunition into the unarmed Brown while firing off twelve rounds in total. Immediately, people angrily gathered at the shooting scene with Brown’s body lying on the pavement for four hours. Protests… Continue reading Why ‘Black Lives Matter’ to young white people, an open letter: the origin of ‘Black Lives Matter’
All of us, even celebrities, can still speak freely
In an acceptance speech for winning the Cecil B. DeMille award at the Golden Globes ceremony on Jan. 8, 2017, actress Meryl Streep voiced personal thoughts that were well received by some and ill received by others. Streep’s speech took on a political tone and indirectly targeted president-elect Donald Trump. She began by recognizing her… Continue reading All of us, even celebrities, can still speak freely
Don’t take ADHD medication from people who need it
You don’t remember the last time you slept more than three consecutive hours, your hair is almost as much of a mess as your room and you feel a bond to group project members similar to a pirate captain and his sinking ship; you know it’s going down, but at least you’re going down together.… Continue reading Don’t take ADHD medication from people who need it
Tips for avoiding a final exam flameout
It is almost finals week at UTM, and for many of us that means late nights, venti-size coffees and a dwindling bank account with pending transactions at Domino’s. However, any season is a good season to create change for the better, so use this semester’s finals to approach life the healthy way and still combat… Continue reading Tips for avoiding a final exam flameout
Holiday season is more than ‘Merry Christmas’
As we approach the holidays, there is sure to be some controversy over whether one is to say “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas.” Throughout this holiday season, there will be much debate over which phrase is more correct to use when greeting someone or simply wishing them a good holiday. The end of the year… Continue reading Holiday season is more than ‘Merry Christmas’
T-shirt sales help fund Dakota pipeline protest
Shailene Woodley, best known for her lead role in Divergent, has found herself at the frontlines of several protests against the North Dakota Access Pipeline and is doing all she can to help with the cause, even if it is as simple as designing an awesome T-shirt. Her involvement didn’t make headlines until October when… Continue reading T-shirt sales help fund Dakota pipeline protest
Students experience post-election trauma on college campuses
In the week following the presidential election, college students across the country are experiencing distress because their preferred candidate did not win the election. In the wake of Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton’s loss to Republican Party candidate Donald Trump in the general election, campus counselors have offered “healing spaces,” “cry rooms” and meditation spaces… Continue reading Students experience post-election trauma on college campuses
Dakota Access Pipeline and indigenous people
Within the last few weeks, a significant amount of attention has been focused on the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline was approved publicly in July 2014, and is currently under construction. It will run under the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois to transport oil. Since the Industrial Revolution, oil has been one… Continue reading Dakota Access Pipeline and indigenous people
What we could expect from a Trump presidency
Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States early Wednesday morning after a night of fluctuating speculation of states’ results. The Republicans will also control both houses of Congress, as well as the balance of power in the judicial system. One of the main concerns is to what extent President-elect Trump’s fellow… Continue reading What we could expect from a Trump presidency