Opinion

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

A look back at our favorite series as they come to an end

Apr. 9, 2019

April is the beginning of the end for major pop culture phenomenons, namely “The Avengers” franchise (at least for now) and “Game of Thrones.” Both franchises have captured the attention of audiences across the globe and have facilitated conversations involving speculation and commentary. They have spawned parody skits, elevated people to A-list stars and created entire worlds people have spent hours recapping and analyzing. The franchises may have multiple spin-offs planned for both franchises, but we wonder if they will spawn the same fan response as their original predecessors.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

I hate that I love the Woah Challenge

Apr. 9, 2019

If you have opened up Snapchat lately, you might have seen a few videos of people setting up their phone cameras, moving away from the screen and doing a quick dance move with their hands. This is called the Woah Challenge, and it has been spreading like wildfire.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

My personal struggle with the concept of zoos and captivity

Apr. 9, 2019

“Blackfish” left a bad taste in my mouth for all animal captivity. After watching the documentary, I swore off all aquariums, zoos and things alike, until recently. I went on a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and I couldn’t believe my friends had tricked me into going to this installment of animal exploitation. How could I put money into the hands of these people who use the beauty of animals for the sake of human entertainment? Who had I become? I was a fraud, a fake animal-lover. But I had already bought my ticket, and everyone seemed excited to see the “fishies,” so I went.

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OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: SG allows ICE presence at UF

Apr. 9, 2019

As an immigrant rights advocacy organization, UF Chispas has collaborated with Student Government to advocate for inclusive campus policies toward immigrant students at UF. Due to past cooperation with SG, our organization was shocked and disappointed to see the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Chomp the Vote’s Public Policy Career Day on March 21. We were also hurt by the way SG entities poorly handled our concerns.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium doesn’t have to be just for football

Apr. 9, 2019

It’s a beautiful April day. Beams of sunlight hit the tops of the shimmering bleachers surrounding me. A cool breeze comes through Ben Hill Griffin Stadium every few minutes, just long enough for me to appreciate the fresh air. As a student at UF, this is one of the many unique luxuries I am granted in return for the tuition check I slide over to the Bursar’s Office each semester. The stadium, known to the masses as The Swamp, is one of the most famous landmarks to grace our campus because of its notoriety in college football. However, many students only use it for its main purpose: attending UF’s nationally renowned football games. If you’re one of those Gators, I’m here to give you a wake-up call.

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

World Health Day and what it promotes

Apr. 7, 2019

Since 1948, April 7 has been celebrated as National World Health Day. This day is a celebration of the implementation of the constitution of the World Health Organization. It was adopted during an International Health Conference in New York, held on June 1946 and later signed by 61 States on July 22, 1946. The constitution, which can be read on the organization’s website, was implemented on April 7, 1948.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

My painted nails shouldn’t be up for discussion

Apr. 7, 2019

The fickle thing I’ve learned about nail polish is that its drip is incredibly difficult to account for. No matter the layer, I can always expect the slightest spillover onto my cuticles or fingertips. It doesn’t bother me, but instead it encourages me to keep a steadier hand. Luckily, there’s no second glances or mention of my nail color as more people are accepting of different methods of expression. I’ve run into other masculine-presenting people who wear nail polish, earrings and makeup with eyeshadow and eyeliner. I would dare to say this is not a new trend among LGBTQ+ circles. However, the broadening of gender expression through small things, like nail polish, can still be a big change for others.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Individuals can’t save the environment, it’s a group effort

Apr. 7, 2019

Plastic is bad for the environment. This has been common knowledge for years. What is controversial, however, is demanding that everyone turn vegan and ditch single-use plastic. People fail to recognize that most of the earth’s pollution stems from major corporations rather than individuals. Also, expecting everyone to stop using straws fails to acknowledge the unintended consequences, which could be catastrophic for certain groups. Certainly, if you’re able to, do what you can to help the environment. Ditch the straws or get reusable ones, ask for paper bags the next time you go grocery shopping and reduce the amount of meat you consume, but don’t expect everyone to do the same. We first must hold corporations accountable for their actions, which affect the environment differently.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

The problem with the body positivity movement

Apr. 7, 2019

Core ideas of the body positivity movement date back to the late 1800s when the Victorian dress reform movement emerged. This movement aimed to put an end to the fad of corsets and tightlacing, to which women succumbed, conforming to the societal standard of a tiny waistline. The movement emphasized acceptance of all body types, regardless of waist measurements.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Cancel culture can be good, but people can change

Apr. 7, 2019

Lately, there’s been some discussion of something called “cancel culture.” Figures from John Oliver to Tucker Carlson have addressed the topic, with sometimes wildly differing perspectives. Now, I’m diving into the fray.

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OPINION  |  DARTS LAURELS

Darts and Laurels: April 5, 2019

Apr. 4, 2019

The end of the semester is in sight, and the promise of summer is only growing sweeter. The air is warmer, and the days are longer. You decide to take advantage and make your way to Paynes Prairie to watch the sunset. You’ve been in the library all day struggling to get ahead before final exams and projects consume your life.

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OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: The judicial dictatorship of SG

Apr. 4, 2019

There is an important petition by Global Vote that has been filed for the reconsideration of a UF Student Government Supreme Court ruling. If successful, it would restore online voting to the Student Body constitution, along with other popular reforms. However, the Global Vote petition for reconsideration is not only a fight for online voting and other amendments, but it is also a fight for democracy in SG.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Putting a price on what makes people happy fosters exclusion

Apr. 4, 2019

The best part about joining clubs or groups is the different personalities you come in contact with. A visual arts student and a business student can be on the same soccer team. An engineering student and a philosophy student can both be members of a knitting group. Everyone is surrounded by people whose individual lives and interests can be nuanced beyond what we see on the surface level. There is an incredible amount of freedom in having friend groups or gatherings where everyone has different interests, but the one underlying character I have difficulty dealing with is the “hustler” of any group.

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OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: A statement from the UF Health Shands CEO

Apr. 3, 2019

Dear Alligator Editors:

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

A follow up on Dance Marathon

Apr. 2, 2019

We, the editorial board, wanted to address the last editorial published Monday entitled, “What does it mean to do it ‘For The Kids’?” Since its publication, we’ve received a number of questions regarding some of the topics we addressed. In addition, we received answers to some of our own questions posed in the editorial. We did not reach out to UF Health Shands Hospital specifically for Monday’s editorial; however, we received an email Tuesday from Shands spokesperson Rossana Passaniti after we reached out to her earlier that day. In the email, she provided a statement from the CEO of Shands, Ed Jimenez, who responded to the board’s editorial, which will be published in full on our website. He addressed some of our previous questions, namely where the money from Dance Marathon goes and how the Miracle Children are helped. These Miracle Children are patients at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. DMUF’s Miracle Children have profiles provided on DMUF’s website. These are the answers Jimenez provided:

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OPINION  |  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: To the Dance Marathon skeptic

Apr. 2, 2019

In my five years at UF, I’ve met many people who have raised similar questions to yours regarding the sincerity and efficiency of Dance Marathon’s fundraising efforts. They’re good questions. I’m sure they’re coming from a place of genuine concern. In fact, I’ve asked the same questions myself.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Here’s the tea on Flat Tummy Tea

Apr. 2, 2019

Flat Tummy Tea ads: They pop up almost everywhere on social media. It is possible that you have seen one on your Instagram, or maybe you follow an influencer who endorses the product every chance they get. But is this get-skinny-quick product actually useful? YouTubers have made videos documenting themselves trying the product, and online reviews offer more insight. However, from these reviews, it seems the only thing this product guarantees is that you’ll be running to the bathroom. So why do influential social media users continue to promote such a product, especially one targeted to young girls, a demographic more likely to dislike their own bodies?

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Our divisions are only growing deeper as history progresses

Apr. 2, 2019

It would be tempting to think the most pressing political and cultural question of our day is the question of political affiliation: Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. We certainly spend a lot of time wondering if someone, especially someone famous, is one or the other, or which party is better, which view is the correct one. We tuck people we meet or see on TV nicely into those groups so we know what to think about them. “He’s a liberal,” we often say to describe a person, or “She leans conservative.” These are meaningful terms to us, capable of telling you all you need to know about another person. We believe strongly in them.

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OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Spend your money on coffee at your discretion

Apr. 2, 2019

I used to be against the habit of regularly spending money on coffee. My parents were against it too. They would forward articles to my sisters and I about saving $5 a day. They would shake their heads in disappointment whenever they spotted us with a Starbucks cup in our hands. Comments like, “Is that coffee really worth it?” and “You could’ve donated that money to charity!” were not uncommon. I understood their logic, so I only bought it when I really wanted to treat myself. My dad is a full-blown caffeine addict with an ensured headache if he doesn’t drink at least three cups a day. I knew it wasn’t smart to get into the habit anyway.

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OPINION  |  EDITORIALS

What does it mean to do it “For The Kids”?

Mar. 31, 2019

“For The Kids.” It has a nice ring to it.