Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

College athletes shouldn’t get paid

Mar. 30, 2014

Last week, the National Labor Relations Board ruled in favor of a group of Northwestern University football players who are attempting to unionize. It was a major victory for student athletes in their fight against the money juggernaut that is the NCAA. The ruling sets up a potential big fight between student athletes and the NCAA regarding the debate on whether college athletes deserve payment for their services that could wind up in the Supreme Court.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Goodbye, EndZone; hello, tidy tighty whiteys

Mar. 27, 2014

Around the corner from my apartment, there’s an orange-and-blue building with mirrored windows I often use for taking selfies. By now you’re probably thinking, “Wow, an orange-and-blue building in Gainesville? You’ve really narrowed it down.” Or maybe you’re saying to yourself, “This girl must be so bold, just taking selfies in windows when there could easily be people with eyes on the other side. I wish I had her gall.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Laverne Cox talks self-determination, hope — but I missed it

Mar. 27, 2014

Sometimes it’s all too easy to forget the amazing opportunities our campus and the surrounding areas of Gainesville have to offer.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Taxpayers shouldn’t fund religious ed

Mar. 26, 2014

Like many other Gators, I was born and raised here in the Sunshine State. I’ve never lived anywhere else, so I am a product of the Florida school system.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Make the most out of the UF experience

Mar. 25, 2014

Like it or not, as many of us are realizing, the school year is coming to an end. Though some students are still recovering from Spring Break, most are preparing for the home stretch — the last month of cramming for exams and quizzes and catching up on unwatched lectures. Some of our fellow students will be doing this for the last time.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Adelson’s donations demonstrate system of ‘legalized bribery’

Mar. 25, 2014

During the 2012 presidential campaign, which was marked by an explosion of political donations from wealthy and corporate interests, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson was one of the biggest players.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Westboro member Fred Phelps mourned

Mar. 25, 2014

TOPEKA — Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, passed away at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday. Confused members are already outside the church picketing his funeral.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Hollywood needs to fix its race problem

Mar. 24, 2014

One would think with the recent press coverage that a lot of progress is being made in Hollywood: Ellen DeGeneres served pizza at the Academy Awards, and Jennifer Lawrence got a pixie cut. It all looks pretty good from where I sit.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Undergrads in law library OK, welcome

Mar. 24, 2014

I was disappointed to read the column in the Alligator on Monday telling undergraduates to stay out of the university’s law library. I believe the author’s opinion is only one of a minority of the law school community. As a current UF law student, I want to offer a different perspective that I believe many of my fellow students at UF law embrace.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Let’s get it on: A brief history of pornography

Mar. 24, 2014

Sit down, dim the lights and put on some soft upbeat music. We’re going to talk about porn.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Battalion against sexism needs soldiers

Mar. 24, 2014

I wasn’t sure how to reply to a question that sat in my inbox.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Tinder love: Minimum effort, max results

Mar. 23, 2014

I have a confession to make — I have a Tinder account.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Law student speaks: Undergrads, stay out of our lawbrary

Mar. 23, 2014

Undergrads should not be allowed in the law school library.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Comparison to Nazis is baseless and offensive

Mar. 23, 2014

By this point in Barack Obama’s presidency, both he and his administration have been called almost every offensive name imaginable. However, the continued trend of comparing Obama, his administration and the federal government to the Nazis among the right wing is so foul, disgusting and baseless that it’s time someone shouted from the mountaintops.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gators: Be aware of springs resources

Mar. 23, 2014

North Florida is home to the largest assemblage of artesian springs in the U.S. From Wakulla Springs near Florida State University, Ichetucknee Springs near UF, Wekiwa and Rock springs near the University of Central Florida and Weeki Wachee Springs near the University of South Florida, Florida’s adventurous college students know the springs are perhaps the best-kept secret to surviving the three-season heat and humidity typical of Florida and for finding a refreshing alternative to crowded beaches.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A guide to relationships in the Facebook age

Mar. 20, 2014

If you’re anything like me, a lot goes through your head when things start to get serious with the person you’re seeing.

OPINION | COLUMNS

‘Alice in Arabia’ show could be problematic

Mar. 20, 2014

It’s pilot season. Networks are scrambling to find and approve new programming for the coming year, even though the age of network — and even cable TV — may be coming to a close.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Media consumers need to listen, ask the right questions

Mar. 19, 2014

I grew up in the shadows of a hundred churches.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Executions leave blood on Scott’s hands

Mar. 19, 2014

Executions are slowing around the country, but leave it to Florida to stand out in the worst way.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Citing their love of Putin, Crimeans vote for assimilation

Mar. 19, 2014

SIMFEROPOL — The Autonomous Republic of Crimea might not remain so autonomous.