Applications to work for The Baylor Lariat next semester are open through April 22, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite parts about being on staff.
Browsing: Editorials
The pressure of being an influencer is hard to conceptualize. Imagine going viral for a “get ready with me” video and, only a few months later, being asked to share your opinion about controversial topics you know nothing about. As a society, putting this pressure on our favorite influencers does more harm than good and is setting them up for failure.
As Iowa hero Caitlin Clark walked off the court for the final time in Sunday’s women’s NCAA National Championship game, a sellout crowd and a nation of people sitting on the edge of their seats from home experienced the power of a game built on empowerment.
If your realization is that you really don’t know all that much about journalism, don’t worry — you’re not the only one. Mob mentality spreads like fire on the internet, and it’s all too easy to connect the negativity and offensiveness of what’s happening in our world to the source that reports it. But we ask you, please, don’t shoot the messenger.
The point at which ring by spring becomes harmful is the point at which it teaches students that marriage is necessary for them to live a Christian life — and, further, that marriage is promised. College offers an opportunity for immense personal formation, and we shouldn’t overshadow that opportunity with unrealistic, and frankly unbiblical, pressures to settle down.
Baylor should keep its policy in place and continue to not take a student’s quality of high school education into account with an unfair test. Students need to remain evaluated by their essays, transcript, resume and application itself — not by one number.
A lot of us may embrace and engage in the large prayer tent on Fountain Mall and various conversations surrounding the three-day Christianpalooza, also known as FM72. There is beauty in having a space for that on a college campus. However, this is one of numerous examples of public, almost performative, Christianity at Baylor.
Growing up in the boom of technology, college students have come to know the changing landscape of school and work. Whether it be the regularity of weekend exams, 11:59 p.m. deadlines or last-minute emails, the way current students interact with school is severed from the “good ol’ days” — weekends and breaks absent of homework — preached upon by elders.
The problem isn’t resources. The problem is awareness and utilization of those resources. It is impossible to ignore the fact that, beyond the required video, the university is reaching an unacceptably small portion of the student population.
Playing the comparison game seems inevitable, and it probably is. However, it’s simply not fair to you or to those you may be comparing yourself to. So, what if you were to reframe those thoughts into something more constructive and meaningful?
Of course, this isn’t a Baylor problem or a Waco problem or a Texas problem or a U.S. problem. This is a cultural problem. And the way to solve a cultural problem is through education.
Long story short, there are a lot of expenses when it comes to college, and students might not be well-equipped to handle them. Baylor has resources for financial aid and counseling; however, it’s still vital to understand what costs you or your family are paying and how they can impact you in the long run.
Like any and all heritage months, Women’s History Month gets the same criticism. People often express the idea that Women’s History Month excludes men, but it’s time we realized that this month is for all of us — an opportunity to reflect on our history and grow from it together.
There’s only so much preparation a student can do to help their experience with the process. Perhaps it’s time to give registration itself some attention. After all, what’s the harm in adding a handful of seats to classes and giving upperclassmen first dibs on Bearweb?
If you have to settle for a low-quality yet pricey apartment, well … there’s not much you can do about it in this housing market. What you can do, though, is take the initiative to advocate for yourself and know your worth.
Here’s a tough pill to swallow: Whichever idol you adore could be a completely different person in real life than they choose to project to the world. So, why do so many fans of celebrities and influencers describe, defend and bond over these stars as if they’ve spoken face to face?
The average citizen doesn’t seem to grasp that beyond a short list of enumerated powers, the president is little more than a figurehead. Much to their chagrin, “single-handedly ensuring the holistic success of the United States while establishing an immaculate economy” is not in his job description.
Vaping is not only leeching off of your wallet but also negatively impacting your health, whether or not you’re part of the one in five Americans who believe it isn’t. Although it’s true that vapes generally contain fewer chemicals than traditional cigarettes, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t putting yourself at risk of lung cancer, exposing yourself to formaldehyde (the chemical funeral homes use to preserve the deceased) and becoming more likely to develop heart disease.
Sure, it’s true other people in public perceive your significant other. So, why is a video about it bad? Because social media material on subjects like this takes a simple thing and runs with it. It serves as a constant reminder of insecurities and encourages viewers to assume the worst of their partners.
The bottom line is this: When we cover a controversial topic or event, it does not mean we condone or encourage it. And when an individual writes a controversial column or opinion, it does not mean we all identify with the beliefs expressed in that column or opinion.
At some point, college basketball needs to do a better job protecting its athletes. While the student experience is important, it has the potential to cause serious damage. Simply adding more security around student sections won’t stop a swarm.
While sports gambling is legal in 38 states, with two more expected to launch later this year, Texas is one of the few where it is illegal and punishable as a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine of up to $500 — at least for now. Texas sports betting on trending apps will have to wait until at least 2025, but with the rapid growth, the gambling world isn’t waiting to enforce cognitive habits that lead to splurges.
Let us create a culture that supports mothers, regardless of their age, marital status or economic standing. Let us rid our society of judgment and replace it with love and care. Together, we can make baby steps toward transforming the way we think about motherhood.
While The Editorial Board isn’t trying to transform into a morning person or hit the gym, its members are setting goals to improve their work and better serve the Baylor community this semester. Hold us accountable for these New Year’s resolutions.
It can be easy to retreat into relaxing alone and avoiding family, but there are small and thoughtful ways to combat some hermit-like tendencies we may pick up for break. Be purposeful with your time, and be intentional with showing your family gratitude. Members of the Editorial Board have compiled their pointers on how to show love over the holiday season.
In 40 days, hundreds of women will receive a bid for their dream sorority, and social media will be flooded with bid day posts filled with matching T-shirts, color-coordinated tutus and group photos. But for every jubilant post, there are bound to be those who end up feeling less enthusiastic about the process.
Porn is now a $97,000,000,000 industry. With the rise of OnlyFans and similar platforms, pornographic content is more readily available, and there is a certain “fame” that comes with being a sex worker. But why is that so bad, and what are the long-term consequences?
The continued lack of interest in Chapel may not be a fault on the students’ part. It could be a call for Chapel to change and cater to those who fall through the cracks, bringing in guest speakers with diverse backgrounds and stories to reach them on a deeper level.
It’s easy to joke about trends, but the visual aspects of them do influence the way we think about ourselves, even if we know what we are seeing isn’t real. The bottom line is, you need to remember that your appearance doesn’t determine your health, nor does what you see online.
Ultimately, voters are called to weigh the personal significance of a wide swathe of political topics — from abortion and taxes to health care and immigration. If, in the process of reflecting on all such topics, you recognize that abortion is the most important issue to you, then vote according to your opinion on abortion. However, if you neglect that reflection process, then you are doing a disservice to yourself and to the very idea of America’s representative democracy.