Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

The American two-party system limits voters’ freedoms

Jan. 27, 2019

By now I’m sure you’ve heard the narrative about how third-party voters cost Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party the 2016 presidential election. Unfortunately, this claim is not based entirely on speculation, nor was it dreamed by Democrats displeased with the election results who needed someone to blame. There is actually some reasonable justification behind the animosity many people hold toward third-party voters.

OPINION | COLUMNS

2020 candidates need to address gerrymandering as a big issue in politics

Jan. 27, 2019

We’re well over a year away from the 2020 presidential election, but candidates are already jumping into the race. Last Monday, Sen. Kamala Harris announced her campaign for president on “Good Morning America.” Three weeks prior, Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced she was forming a presidential exploratory committee. And President Donald Trump filed his 2020 re-election paperwork on the day of his first inauguration in January 2017. As these candidates get their campaigns together and form their messages, they’ll have to decide which issues will be the most important ones in 2020. I’d like to make a suggestion for an issue they should place front and center in 2020: redistricting and gerrymandering.

OPINION | COLUMNS

'The Bachelor' perpetuates an archaic stereotype of women

Jan. 27, 2019

I am embarrassed to say that I watched “The Bachelor” last week. It was a fun time with friends and French toast, but I cringe at the thought of giving that show any of my time. It was the second episode I had ever seen. Like the first time, it was impossible to look away. Watching “The Bachelor” is similar to witnessing a horrible car crash: You know you shouldn’t look, but it’s so terrible you just cannot help but stare. Despite its popularity, “The Bachelor” is problematic and anti-feminist.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Iced coffee wins in the world of caffeine

Jan. 27, 2019

Coffee is, for many of us college students, similar to life support. A long day is often impossible without slurping down a certain amount of the bitter drink. For some, this amount is a healthy one or two cups in the morning before class and for others, this translates to gallons of coffee. I’m not here to judge, as I fall closer to the second category than the first. Rather, I am here to settle a debate that seems to have no end. While many categories and subcategories have popped up, the largest distinction and the one I will focus on is the most polarizing: iced versus hot.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Knowledge is power and it can change the world

By Chasity Maynard | Jan. 24, 2019

I’m that friend. The one who, if you say the wrong thing about current events or political figures, has to start a conversation about it. The one who went a little crazy when you admitted you weren’t sure if you were going to vote in the midterms. The one who seems to consider it their duty to make sure you know what’s going on in the world, even if you don’t really care. You know the friend I’m talking about.

OPINION | COLUMNS

DeSantis’ environmental order shows promise, but will it be effective?

Jan. 24, 2019

Florida’s new governor has only been in office for a couple weeks and he’s been anything but idle. So far, he has (among other things): appointed three justices to the Florida Supreme Court, suspended three political officers, called for the legalization of smokable medical marijuana and announced a sweeping environmental program. It’s this last item I want to focus on.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Spotify is saving music, not ruining it

Jan. 24, 2019

I love Spotify. It has personalized playlists for every mood based on the songs you’ve saved, it tailors radio stations based off each like and dislike more accurately than Pandora does and it lets you seamlessly share singles, albums and playlists between friends. I can’t remember life before Spotify.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Source your news responsibly in 2019

Jan. 24, 2019

If you were to make the argument that traditional news formats are no longer as popular as they once were, it would be hard for me to disagree with you. An increasing majority of the younger generations are ditching cable TV and newspapers.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Paying attention is more important than you think

Jan. 22, 2019

Simone Weil, the great 20th century thinker and writer, wrote an essay entitled “Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with View to the Love of God,” that upon reading made me uneasy. She argues that the ultimate purpose of being a student is developing the capacity for paying attention.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ariana Grande's song "7 Rings" isn't stolen, it's part of a bigger picture

Jan. 22, 2019

On Jan. 18, Ariana Grande released “7 Rings,” a song that had a lot of artists calling the pony-tailed pop princess a copycat. Part meme, part personal attack, music fans accused the artist of drawing a little too much inspiration from artists like Soulja Boy, Princess Nokia and 2 Chainz.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The downside of online education at UF

Jan. 22, 2019

The 2019 U.S. News & World Report list of best online programs was released recently, and UF’s online bachelor’s program tied with Penn State University World Campus and the University of Illinois at Chicago for the No. 5 spot.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Gainesville is a home for artists

Jan. 22, 2019

I’ve been coming to Gainesville since before I can remember. My parents are both UF alumni. They love coming back for football games and to visit their favorite bars and restaurants that are still in Gainesville. However, in all the times I visited, we never strayed far from campus. So, when I arrived the week before my freshman year began, I didn’t even know that Gainesville had anything else to offer.

OPINION | COLUMNS

In 2019, the best resolution is to stay the same

By Chasity Maynard | Jan. 17, 2019

As we wave goodbye to the second week of 2019, other parts of our life also bid us farewell. The excitement of the holiday season finally fades, we start to get into the meaty part of classes and New Year’s resolutions drop off the radar.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Ditch paper textbooks this semester to save money and the environment

Jan. 17, 2019

Have you ever walked to class and thought to yourself: “Wow, I would love for my backpack to be even heavier.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

From UF President Kent Fuchs: financial aid and how it impacts UF students

Jan. 17, 2019

When UF announces its admissions decisions on Feb. 8, some students will receive good news, but many will not. We received 42,000 applications for only 6,500 available positions.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Pills and why they aren’t for all of us

Jan. 17, 2019

I love coffee as much as the next student. My personal drink of choice is an espresso with soy milk and honey: plain, simple and refreshing. But I don’t drink coffee every morning. When I choose not to drink coffee, I’ll turn to a simple caffeine pill.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s remarks can not be condoned

Jan. 15, 2019

“When they go low, we go high.” These words, spoken at the 2016 Democratic National Convention by Michelle Obama, were a reminder to her fellow Democrats to act with a manner of class and poise, especially at times when their Republican counterparts fail to do so. It is barely three years later and the party that once vowed to “go high” has stooped to the level of cursing in Congress.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Do not let your major define you or your future

Jan. 15, 2019

Journalism is for the kids who were reprimanded for talking too much in class. It’s also for the quiet students who only talked when called upon by the teacher — or so I thought.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Talk to strangers and learn something new

Jan. 15, 2019

To us UF students, there is nothing quite like the dread of seeing someone with a clipboard walking toward us. We hate being approached by strangers. There is a certain pain that comes from hearing those fateful words: “Have you registered to vote in Alachua County?” or “Hi, sorry to bother you!” It’s like being in the bathroom and having your stall door flung open. Even being handed a flier in Turlington Plaza is aggravating. To most of us, avoiding Turlington altogether may be the best solution.

OPINION | COLUMNS

So about that online voting thing...

Jan. 15, 2019

Sometimes when I write these columns, I wish I could type away praising Student Government competence with rainbows, unicorns and classical music in the background.