We tend to complain a lot about politics. There is an incredible amount of pessimism that persists in every discussion. We perceive Congress and our government to be a constant source of pointless bickering, trickery and sycophancy. To a point, we may be right. Sometimes, however, I think those in public service deserve more credit.
Browsing: Points of View
The epigraph of E.M. Forster’s “Howards End,” which reads “Only connect…” could serve as a statement of purpose for many a writer. This may hold especially true for writers of personal narrative.
As one such writer, it was my privilege and pleasure to spend a day and a half with Baylor journalism students discussing the subset of creative nonfiction called memoir.
This morning, I received an email from the Cashier’s Office. After the normal, mini panic attack I had, featuring questions like “Oh gosh, did I miss a payment?” and “Are they about to kick me out of school?!” I actually read the email.
The email informed me I was no longer allowed to use BearBucks off-campus. I disregarded it and tossed it in the trash, going on with my daily routine.
In college, you are free.
You are free to go to bed at 3 a.m. You are free to eat ice cream for breakfast. You are free to get the puppy you’ve wanted since you were 12 years old, but your parents always said no to getting. The list of freedoms is endless.
The Texas Senate unanimously passed legislation to mandate drug tests for welfare applicants, demonstrating the widespread support behind a measure that appears common-sense to many.
According to the bill’s introducer, Texas Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound):
“We found common ground to support a plan that makes sure state resources aren’t used to support a drug habit, while at the same time making sure children continue receiving benefits.”
Do you know what the official language of the United States of America is? If you think it’s English, you’re wrong.
You’re only wrong because there isn’t one. While several states and unincorporated territories have listed English as their official language, on the federal level it isn’t so, and I like it that way.
I recently read an article in the Onion called “Company Immediately Calls Job Applicant Upon Seeing ‘B.A. In Communications’ On Resumé.”
It was satire, of course, but for a moment, I indulged in the fantasy that it could happen to me: My potential employer would hire me based on my sparkling GPA, the line on my resumé that mentions I was a student in the Honors College, or just the plain and simple fact that I had a degree at all, proving I can suffer utter sleeplessness for four years straight.
When I first arrived at college, my primary expectation toward food consisted of Ramen, dining halls and Easy Mac.
Anyone who has ever eaten at Penland can see why these thoughts contain an elevated level of gloominess. However, my outlook broadened as I made friends with people who lived off campus.
It starts with the people.
I remember these words spoken by my 10th grade geography teacher. While she was speaking about solving issues of hunger and poaching in Africa, I often apply them to other issues I observe in the world today.
The first thing that needs to be addressed about leggings is that they are not pants.
This is a fact that several people seem to be adamant about.
If you’re unfamiliar with the fashion trend, leggings are a tight, stretchy and usually black article of clothing, most popularly worn with an oversized T-shirt, sweater or dress.
The 14th anniversary of the Columbine shooting occurred last Saturday. As we remember the tragic massacre, we should remember it as it was and avoid perpetuating myths.
Dave Cullen’s book “Columbine” demonstrates the consequences of media misinformation. The book’s glowing reviews and awards from many sources are a testament to his extensive research.
My mom says she, along with countless other parents in Oklahoma City, were in a panic, scrambling to make sure their children were safe. I was 2 years old when it happened, and so naturally I have no exact recollection of that day.
The tragedies occurring in Boston on Monday and West on Wednesday have brought to light the several devastating things that can happen in societies not only across the world or in third-world countries, but also right here at home. My heart has gone out to the people who have suffered and are still suffering and it amazes me every day the generosity and kindness that human beings can show toward their fellow men and women.
Back in February, I received an email from my roommate. In the subject box, she typed “Thought you might get a kick out of this!” In the email was a link to an article published in the Daily Illini, the University of Illinois’ equivalent to the Lariat. The column, which ran Feb. 19, was titled “Student Athletes: The Kings and Queens of Campus.”
I was intrigued.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been asked what I think defines me. And for as long as I can remember, my mother has told me that I am a black woman first and foremost in all things. I have taken this to heart especially with the realization that even after decades of fights for equality both white and black America still has a prevailing tendency to alienate, demean and dismiss black women.
In the coming weeks, students around campus will prepare to leave Waco to spend their summer vacation at home with their families. Others will continue to take classes at Baylor, working towards, completing their degree. But wouldn’t it be nice if we could do both?
Concealed carry laws: They’re all over the news.
Congress can’t come to consensus on the issue. Here’s the answer: Texas should secede. Then we will be free to make our own laws. It’s the only logical solution.
This morning while I was getting Starbucks, the cashier annoyed me to no end.
Why, you may ask?
She was just too excited. She had the biggest grin on her face, like giving me my Passion Tea drink was just the best part of her day. I do believe it could have been me not having enough caffeine in my body at the time to deal with someone’s exuberance, but it was also the fact that since I wasn’t in a good mood, anyone else being in that good of a mood was just annoying.
Last week, the Associated Press deserved the criticism it received when it adapted the official AP Stylebook to exclude the phrase “illegal immigrant.” Arguing the world “illegal” can only describe an action, the AP instead mandated writers use “living in or entering a country illegally or without legal permission.”
The change affects hundreds of newspapers across the country, as AP Style is the industry standard for journalism.
Education is a right that many people take for granted, which is sad because people in other countries dream of that opportunity. As college students we should understand how valuable education is because it allows us to get ready for the real world.
April is National Sexual Abuse Awareness month, and it provides an opportunity to highlight sexual violence as a preventable problem.
Almost everyone has talked to someone who has been a victim of sexual abuse or sexual assault, whether you knew it at the time or not.
A bill that advanced through the state Capital yesterday would cut the amount of time necessary to earn a concealed handgun license by more than half.
The bill, proposed by New Braunfels Republican Sen. Donna Campbell, would reduce the class time necessary to get a CHL to a measly four hours because it’s apparently “long, redundant and boring” to spend the requisite ten hours learning how to properly and responsibly carry a potentially deadly weapon.
For most people, this past Easter weekend was composed of celebrating Jesus’ resurrection, connecting with old friends and family and enjoying a delicious Easter dinner. It was an uplifting opportunity to focus on our gratitude for God’s everlasting love.
The airline Samoa Air is introducing a new flight-pricing program today. Passengers are to pay based on their combined personal weight and luggage weight in kilos.
Chris Langton, the head of the airline, has been quoted on several different news sources, including Australia’s ABC Radio, that this program is “the fairest way of traveling.” “He also said: “Airlines don’t run on seats, they run on weight.”
Schools are meant to keep their children safe, but one school district in Maryland has taken this duty too far.
St. Mary’s County school district has proposed a ban for elementary schools on hugs or pushing children on swings between parents and children who are not their own.
Gay marriage is relatively low on my priority list when it comes to national political issues. However, in the spirit of open inquiry and to foster debate here at Baylor, a Christian university, I’d like to share my evolving views on this issue.
If I were anything like the Tyler Perry version of black women, I would be a loud, sassy, wisecracking, no-nonsense woman. However, those who know me best know I am nothing like that. I am a quiet, sometimes sarcastic, some-nonsense-talking young woman.
The migration of women from the workforce into business ownership is one of the great economic realizations of the American Dream. The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce has grown to more than 500,000 members. Most of our members are small business owners. And we aren’t opposing an increase in the minimum wage – we’re supporting it.
If you would have asked me to run the Bearathon last year, I would have wondered why you were talking to me. Prior to the Bearathon, I had never run more than five miles at once. But what seemed like an impossible dream became reality as I was inspired to run the Bearathon this year because of an insight my professor, Dr. Jeter Basden, gave in the Introduction to Ministry class.
Education reform may be one of the few political issues that appears to have bipartisan support. That being said, solutions so far have failed to achieve encouraging results.
Especially alarming is the fact that increased funding seems to have no effect on solving the problem. Since 1960, real (inflation-adjusted) education spending per student has more than tripled. However, test scores and graduation rates have not seen any improvement.
