Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Nothing changes after national tragedies because our media doesn’t allow it to

Feb. 20, 2018

There was something different about the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting — something in the coverage and public response that was more emotionally raw than any other shooting aftermath. Reporters were breaking down on the scene. Social media was a slew of angst directed at the eternally inept government. Stoneman Douglas students who survived the shooting have been speaking out against gun violence with urgency — as they should — because public officials have been lacking in that department.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We’re still afraid to speak up in class

Feb. 20, 2018

One day, my professor brought his 8-year-old son to class. When the period ended and students filed out of the room, the boy asked his dad, “Why don’t college kids like to talk?”

OPINION | EDITORIALS

The Alligator endorses these candidates for Student Government

Feb. 18, 2018

Editor’s note: The Alligator’s editorial board met with representatives from the three parties Sunday morning. We spoke about platform points and candidates’ goals. Our endorsements stem from these meetings.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A world within your headphones: Listen to podcasts

Feb. 18, 2018

I’m addicted to Spotify. Barely a minute goes by in my waking weekday life that Spotify isn’t at least playing softly in the background, if not loudly through my earbuds on a run or through the speakers in my car. At some point, though, I started yearning for more, something in addition to music, that would expand my worldview. Enter: podcasts.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF presents an all-black roster for Student Body presidential candidates

Feb. 18, 2018

UF’s upcoming Student Government elections present the most diverse lineup in its history. All three candidates for Student Body president are African American. Ian Green represents the Impact Party, Revel Lubin runs on behalf of Inspire Party and Janae Moodie heads the newly introduced Challenge Party.

OPINION | COLUMNS

At what point will people's lives be worth more than support for guns?

Feb. 18, 2018

We talk a lot about breaking records. We try to break records for fundraising or athletics. Last week, however, we broke a record that should never have been broken: deadliest high school shooting in American history.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor from Brandon Rosenthal

Feb. 17, 2018

Moral courage is finding the strength to act despite the consequences. As a student leader, if you choose to act with moral courage, you risk ending close friendships. You risk political retribution. You risk a loss of opportunities which could advance your career. Acting with moral courage is never the easiest path, but it is ultimately the correct one.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor from Michelle Thackeray

Feb. 15, 2018

Running for Student Government has always been a goal of mine. This semester, I chose to slate with Challenge Party because they did not care about my affiliations. I was never once asked what organizations I was the president of or how much money could I donate to the campaign. I did not know the party president, campaign manager or the would-be executive ticket. In all ways, I was just some random engineering student with many ideas and that was more than enough for them.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor from Zachary Amrose

Feb. 15, 2018

Often, Student Government election ballots not only include candidates, but also questions. Recent ballots have included constitutional amendments and referendums. Students can submit these questions through petitions with signatures from fellow students. Through this process, students may directly shape their elected officials’ policies. Though rarely used recently, students can also petition to add an initiative. Initiatives, if passed, amend Student Body Law, which governs SG and student organizations. To appear on the ballot, initiatives need signatures from 2 percent of all students.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: Feb. 16, 2018

Feb. 15, 2018

In elementary school, Valentine’s Day was something we all looked forward to. It was a day where we’d come to school decked out in festive shades of red and pink and receive candy and semi-heartfelt cards from our classmates.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

This Valentine’s Day, love yourself first

Feb. 13, 2018

On Valentine’s Day, we’re reminded to think of others — waffles with your friends for the Galentine’s Day crowd, a candlelit dinner with your significant other.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The Olympics highlight class division in America

Feb. 13, 2018

The Olympics, at its best, pick up the slack of politics, culture, education and everything in between. It does what these areas often fail to do: bring the many into one. It’s the simplicity and honestness of competition that does this. Either you receive a medal or you don’t, and you earn a medal by doing better than the next person. I can only wish the government were this transparent.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Actions will always speak louder than Instagram captions

Feb. 13, 2018

When people say that dating just isn’t the same as it used to be, they’re right.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The Regressive Politics of "The Bachelor"

Feb. 13, 2018

Feminists, as well as fans of generally entertaining television, would like to thank Arie Luyendyk Jr. for two more hours of productivity each week. To be frank, his season makes many previously devoted fans cringe, and many of us just can’t watch “The Bachelor” anymore.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the editor from Inspire Senate Caucus and Party Executive Board

Feb. 11, 2018

Inspire Party was founded upon three pillars: accountability, inclusivity, and transparency. In light of this, we would like to respond thoroughly to the recent allegations of Senator Branden Pearson.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

As more survivors die, we need to keep the lessons learned through genocide alive.

Feb. 11, 2018

We learn history — the good and the bad parts of it — so we can use that knowledge to improve the future. We can avoid mistakes made by our predecessors, and we can build upon the successes they achieved. History allows us to start every move we make several steps ahead of ground zero. It allows us to continually advance society and steadily make way for a better world. As follows, these lessons are something we need to cherish and protect.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Inmates are people, too

Feb. 11, 2018

Up until this past Friday, the Alachua County Jail was accepting comments and concerns about the way in which it operates and manages. Of the few government officials who submitted letters, each one had nothing but positive things to say.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Zen and the art of waiting for law-school decisions

Feb. 11, 2018

In preparation for writing this column, I perused the internet for its most famous, most well-liked quotes about patience. Patience, I have heard time and time again, is a virtue; good things come to those who wait, so we must remain strong and persevere as the hands of life’s clock tick onward. Stand resolute, stay hopeful.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Black students face inordinate pressure from parents when deciding on colleges

Feb. 11, 2018

On Wednesday, Jacob Copeland signed as UF’s wide receiver, and the video of the process went viral. Like most talented high-school athletes, Copeland had a handful of desirable options to choose from. His mother stood right by his side through the stressful decision until he made his choice. Upset her son didn't pick the University of Tennessee, she stormed away from the table and out of the view of the camera. The video immediately went viral through UF and the rest of the nation. The public cast shade at his mom, calling her selfish and criticizing her motherhood. Viewers believed Copeland didn't deserve to be deserted during such an important time in his life.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: Feb. 9, 2018

Feb. 8, 2018

It’s been four years since you took the time to sit in front of the television and excitedly watch figure skaters twirl and jump across smooth, glass-like ice rinks or you’ve ogled in amazement as professional skiers glide through pristinely white snow and leap into the sky off of seemingly terrifying ramps. The time has finally come for you to do it again. That’s right: It’s time once again for the Winter Olympics.