Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Regarding the CWC and Student Body President Smith Meyers

Nov. 2, 2017

I’d like to begin by applauding recent efforts to secure permanent funding for eight counselors to be added to the Counseling & Wellness Center. This truly is a fantastic stride in acquiring necessary mental health resources for our Student Body. However, this stride was clouded by a terrible misjudgment by Student Body President Smith Meyers.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Trump does not deserve a double standard when it comes to assault

Oct. 31, 2017

Earlier this week, “Star Trek” and “Rent” actor Anthony Rapp revealed to the public the “House of Cards” star Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted him more than 30 years ago when he attended a party thrown at Spacey’s home.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Journalism is struggling, it’s time to help

Oct. 31, 2017

I see you clearing your cookies on your computer to get 10 more free articles for the Sun Sentinel or The Washington Post without having to pay their monthly subscription, and for a while I was like you. I get it, you don’t have the money to pay $5 a month for news, so you cheat the system. It makes sense, but you’re hurting the very institution that you count on for reliable news, and it’s time we started supporting newspapers. They need us.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Mental health needs to be a top priority for colleges

Oct. 31, 2017

Counseling and mental health services are a top priority at UF and need to be part of continued conversations nationally within higher education and beyond.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s time to take a stand against the statue vandals

Oct. 31, 2017

Over the past several months, Americans across the country have taken it upon themselves to destroy, deface and rewrite American history with the removal of historical statues and monuments. Virtually unchallenged, this small segment of the public has attempted to bully fair-minded citizens into accepting a new American reality: one without our Founding Fathers.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We have power across generations

Oct. 29, 2017

Over the past few days, I have seen multiple articles detailing the lives of middle school students who chose to end their lives by killing themselves. Suicide is always tragic. Suicide should always draw our attention and ignite a desire for action and change. When those who choose to end their lives are not even teenagers yet, it can capture our attention in a particularly intense way.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Speak out against unjust organizations

Oct. 29, 2017

“If you see something, say something.” This slogan can apply to suspicious activity monitored by the Department of Homeland Security, but it should also apply to our everyday interactions.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

We all deserve a Halloween free of sexual assault

Oct. 29, 2017

If you’ve read or watched the news at all over the past few weeks, chances are you’ve seen the words “sexual assault” multiple times. After news dropped about Harvey Weinstein’s appalling past, more and more women from Hollywood have been coming out and sharing their stories. Following suit, millions of other women and men have felt empowered to share their history with sexual assault through the social media campaign #MeToo.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Keep it local and support Gainesville businesses

Oct. 29, 2017

Last week, I went to a show at High Dive featuring two Florida-native bands: The Hails and Surfer Blood. This was not my first High Dive show, nor will it be my last. Not only is it a blast to hear great live music, but it’s also awesome to give your love and support to local businesses, especially the art and culture hubs around Gainesville.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Kent Fuchs must go

Oct. 26, 2017

Martin Luther King Jr. famously claimed, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” As UF President Kent Fuchs has repeatedly demonstrated since white supremacist Richard Spencer first announced his intention to invade Gainesville in August, he does not understand King’s words.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels

Oct. 26, 2017

You’ve been sitting at home for hours, trying to think of ways to entertain yourself. You and your roommates thought because it was a bye week for UF football, you might as well use Saturday to relax and have a lazy day.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Can we please stop hanging out in the library for fun?

Oct. 26, 2017

Earlier this week, I was studying. I was in the library, where most people are when they study, and I found a perfect little table in the basement of Marston Science Library. It was nearing hour three of my study venture, and I was making decent progress. I brought snacks to tide me over and filled my water bottle. I had an arsenal of colored pens, my notebook, my hard copy of the textbook at my disposal. Last but not least, I had the most important part of any study session — my ear buds.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Sexual assault education at UF falls short when needed the most

Oct. 26, 2017

Jane Doe (Jane Doe is not the actual name of the victim, but is used in place of it to ensure her safety) draws her third cigarette from the box of Marlboro cigarettes on the table between us. The box looks light.

OPINION | COLUMNS

You don’t always need to know your next move

Oct. 26, 2017

This sign I have had ever since I was a child. The sign is a voice which comes to me and always forbids me to do something which I am going to do, but never commands me to do anything.”

OPINION | EDITORIALS

There is no place for death threats in football

Oct. 24, 2017

Coach Jim McElwain has been under fire since the beginning of this year’s football season. A 3-3 record for the Gators so far this year, including consecutive home game losses, hasn’t caused the public to look upon McElwain any more favorably. In fact, according to McElwain, he, his family and several Gator football players have been receiving death threats in response to the team’s poor performance lately.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Regarding SG and CWC funding

Oct. 24, 2017

In Spring of my sophomore year, I was overwhelmed.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why should we pay for people’s abortions?

Oct. 24, 2017

I read an article the other day on several interesting cases that could make their way to the Supreme Court in the coming months. One in particular caught my eye: Garza v. Hargan. This case involves a 17-year-old illegal immigrant, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents, who is currently detained in Texas. She arrived in the U.S. pregnant, and has since demanded an abortion.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We all deserve a break sometimes

Oct. 24, 2017

This semester I’ve found myself running. Running, not in the “late for class” kind of way, but more so running through this semester and through these next two months to graduation. Some of you, regardless of whether you’re graduating or not, might also feel this way.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Cuffing season is not for everyone, especially me

Oct. 24, 2017

It’s like clockwork. Every year around this time, the pumpkin spice lattes come out, Hallmark movies start to play on television and the temperature in this majestic city drops into the high-sixties. And just as I start to put on my light jacket to protect me from the less-than-sweltering temperatures, my phone starts vibrating uncontrollably. I roll my eyes as I see text after text from guy after guy professing their love for me. They all want to be exclusive. Don’t get me wrong — it’s flattering. But more so, it’s exhausting.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We need to keep a close eye on the EPA under President Donald Trump

Oct. 22, 2017

Here’s a quick hypothetical for you. You’ve been tasked with appointing the new leader of the National Fire Prevention Association (this is not real, so just go with it). Your options range from veteran firefighters to expert industrial engineers to dedicated safety officials and everyone in between. With all of these choices in mind, would you pick an arsonist?