Red, Blue & You: Atheists are the best candidates for political offices
By Gabby McDaris | Oct. 15, 2014There is no word more harmful to an American politician than “Atheist.”
COLUMNS
Cultural Anime-tions: Survey aims to see if the Internet makes a difference in regard to anime
By Kirsten Lindsay | Oct. 13, 2014I put out a survey on Facebook recently, asking how people in decades past bonded over anime if there was no technological middle man. Does the internet even make a difference? The point was to see the relationship between anime fans and the Internet, and the connection they felt to others because of the Internet. I got varied answers to the questions I asked, but one answer remained constant: even though fandoms have always existed, it was the Internet that gave rise to huge, world-wide fandoms.
Lean In Further: F--kRapeCulture proves need for change
By Jessica Ensley | Oct. 13, 2014The responses to F--kRapeCulture’s march from people on the street and on social media proves that a group like FRC is necessary.
The Good-isms: Nobel Peace Prize Winners Reward Exceptional Activists
By Jordan Williams | Oct. 12, 2014While the reward of activism is, more often than not, the success of one’s efforts to help others, great honors still exist to bring the accomplishments of activists of all ages and backgrounds to the eyes of the world. The 2014 Nobel Peace Prizes were awarded in Oslo, Norway this past Friday, and one of this year’s winners was my hero, Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan. The second honor went to Kailash Satyarthi, who has been an activist from India for over three decades. Both winners were awarded based on their activism for children’s freedom and educational rights around the world and in their respective nations.
Gamer Girl: anonymous social media spurs concern
By Sophie Kruse | Oct. 12, 2014I’d by lying if I said I didn’t love wasting time on Yik Yak and Unseen.
Guest Column: NLCS nausea
By Ian Ording | Oct. 12, 2014It’s a damn shame that the most interesting League Championship Series in years doesn’t matter. There’s nothing more fun than teams who have struggled for as long as the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals in a position to win it all.
AfterTASTE: 9 Tables restaurant offers gastronomic experience
By CASSIE FAIT | Oct. 9, 2014Gastronomy is not a word often found in a college student’s vocabulary. When I tell people I am taking a French Gastronomy course, they often look at me with a confused look and ask, “like the stomach?” Gastronomy actually deals with the culture and art surrounding food.
Societal Sexism: Misconceptions about feminism
By Bailey Breece | Oct. 9, 2014Despite common misconceptions, feminism is not about man hating. Feminists do not want men to be considered less than women. In fact, most feminists simply want equality. The problem is when someone has a privileged status, that person can perceive someone taking away that advantage as having their status lowered.
AFC North Nation: AFC North teams could compete for Super Bowl
By Adam Wondrely | Oct. 9, 2014Don’t be surprised if someone from the AFC North makes it to the Super Bowl; the league is up for grabs.
Artistic Achievements: Removal of art programs is detrimental to children
By Juannie Williams | Oct. 9, 2014The early childhood period is crucial for the development of a child’s character. Children develop interests, habits and personality based on their own acquired knowledge, their surrounding environment and their interaction with others that contribute to how they view the world during this time. Specifically, the visual and performing arts are crucial components during a child’s early years of schooling, as it promotes self-expression through healthy mediums and individualism.This is an extremely important idea because through these experiences, a child can become more sophisticated, appreciative, empathetic and well-rounded as he or she continues to learn in the traditional classroom. I’d like to think of visual and performing arts as learning subjects in a non-traditional classroom that are equally important to an individual’s growth.Several grade schools and community recreation centers offer art programs ranging from choir, and theater, to band and orchestra. The programs help fuel children’s interests in wider subjects. Between the ages of 5 and 11, children often begin learning instruments, singing, acting, painting, drawing or sculpting, and as a result, they learn how to appropriately express themselves and understand and appreciate the artistic expressions of others.Arts have played a major role in the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools across the country for decades. All students should have the opportunity to get involved with music, painting and other art forms. Unfortunately, due to various budget cuts, fine art programs in some schools are being discontinued.It’s all too regular that fine art programs are first in line to be eliminated. Why? Why do schools see sports as more vital and important than the arts? These are important questions that we must consider. Not all children are athletes. Not all children are artists. Every individual has his or her own priorities and preferences, so why selectively limit opportunities for artists and not for athletes? Not only does the elimination of art programs affect children, but it leaves many art and music professionals without a job. It makes for an unhappy life for both the students and the teachers.Throughout my childhood, I participated in several choirs. I first joined my elementary school choir at the age of 10 and continued to participate in choirs until I graduated from high school. If it wasn’t for my fourth grade music teacher — who encouraged me to continue singing and never lose sight of what I love — I wouldn’t be as expressive as I am and I wouldn’t have as great of a connection to others as I do.I don’t believe that cutting athletic programs would yield different results. The action would be just as detrimental as the elimination of the art programs. If the school is facing budget cuts, it’s time to get the community involved to preserve the arts. It’s not only important to students but also for teachers. Juannie Williams is senior studying English and Spanish. Email her at jw206410@ohio.edu
Campus Counselor: Don’t disconnect from home
By Olivia Hupp | Oct. 8, 2014Olivia Hupp discusses the importance of keeping in touch with those at home.
Lights, Camera, Ashton: Horror movies have lost their touch
By Will Ashton | Oct. 8, 2014Through a "30 Days of Horror" Challenge, Will Ashton discovered that horror films are rarely good.
Campus Chatter: Dorm life a luxury, not a burden
By Maria Fischer | Oct. 8, 2014Maria Fischer discusses the benefits of on-campus housins.
Nowstalgia: Scary movie classics still haunt us
By Hailey Bibbee | Oct. 8, 2014It seems as if every week, a new horror movie appears in theatres (i.e. Paranormal Activities 1, 2, 3, 4, whatever; The Purge, Insidious, The Haunting in Connecticut, etc.) Demons, loud noises and sub-par acting. How spooky. In the spirit of October and Halloween, I will suggest a few eerie and genuinely frightening movies for the haunting season.
Post Secret: Honesty, support systems help students struggling with mental health issues
By Erin Fischer | Oct. 8, 2014I’ve been dealing with mental health issues for as long as I can remember. While I’m fortunate to not have any illnesses that severely handicap me, coping with depression, anxiety disorders and an eating disorder can be an uphill battle, as I’m sure many of you know. Throwing college into the mix can make it sometimes feel unmanageable.
Bricks On Campus: OU home to more than just everyday classroom supplies
By Kyle Burback | Oct. 8, 2014Have you ever noticed that building that’s tucked away across the parking lot from Clippinger? It’s the Edwards Accelerator Lab. And by accelerator, I mean, particles are accelerated. Have you heard of the Large Hadron Collider, or CERN? Read “Angels and Demons” or seen the movie? Yeah, that.
Red, Blue & You: Nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage is inevitable
By Gabby McDaris | Oct. 8, 2014This past week, the Supreme Court’s decision to refuse to hear same-sex marriage appeals led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in 11 more states, bringing the total number of states with legalized same-sex marriage to 30.
In The Know With Meg O: Debate begins over progressiveness of the Catholic church
By Meg Omecene | Oct. 8, 2014Pope Francis raised some eyebrows among conservative Catholics this week, making this week just like every other week since he became Pope in March 2013.
Lean In Further: 'No means no' lesson comes from experience
By Jessica Ensley | Oct. 6, 2014Jessica Ensley talks about her own personal sexual assault experience and encourages others to join in the fight against rape culture by marching this Friday
The Good-isms: Volunteering with homeless animals is good for the soul
By Jordan Williams | Oct. 5, 2014Countless activists devote their lives to helping others and giving a voice to those without, so how could we forget about our furry, four-legged friends? Celebrity animal activists strive to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals every day, and as much can be said for the men and women of local animal shelters here in Athens.Actor Ian Somerhalder (popularly known as Damon Salvatore in the television series, The Vampire Diaries), spurred by his love for animals and the planet, established the Ian Somerhalder Foundation in 2010. Despite his acting schedule, Somerhalder has taken his role in the foundation seriously, speaking on the foundation’s behalf about topics ranging from animal activism to climate change. The foundation aims cover a spectrum of goals that focus on the betterment of life for at-risk animals and the environment by supporting green energy and global conservation. They also strive to establish awareness of deforestation and its effects, the eradication of shelters that dispose of unadopted animals, and the care of abused or neglected animals.The Foundation believes that everything on Earth is interconnected and interdependent, which is why the foundation does not discriminate what they support. It has greatly expanded since its inception four years ago. Somerhalder recently released a statement announcing the foundation’s plans to introduce the ISF Sanctuary Project, a plan to purchase a large chunk of land to be used as a sanctuary for wildlife.The beauty of animal activism is that anyone can help. Athens County has several shelters that host charity events every year. Last Saturday, OU’s Alpha Phi Omega fraternity hosted their annual charity walk, Friends of the Shelter Dogs 5k. The walk took place in TailGreat Park Saturday morning. The Friends of the Shelter Dogs volunteer group will also host a “Purses for Pooches” event at Market on State, East State Street on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 6-11 p.m. to further fund the program.I have been wishing to get involved with local volunteer work ever since I moved to Athens, and volunteering for shelter animals has been a perfect fit for me. As a life-long animal lover and a five-year vegetarian, I would do anything to get adoptable animals into good homes. I plan on devoting any time I can volunteering with shelter animals in the area. Luckily, the Athens Humane Society has several opportunities for students to give back in a variety of ways. I look forward to helping these animals find good homes and live better lives, and I hope more people will join me.Jordan Williams is a junior studying English and Women’s and Gender studies. Email her at jw719111@ohio.edu.
