McCain: Military man, merciless maverick

Share: As a combat veteran and fellow purple heart recipient it was quite difficult to not root for the late Senator John Sidney McCain III. McCain had a military record to be admired and served in public office for nearly four decades. He was an independent man, a maverick, and did what he felt was right and just. He selflessly served this country and its citizens up until his last days. Follow:

First come, first served: Transfer student struggles

Share: Transfer students struggle with difficulties achieving higher education, whether it be due to socioeconomic status, learning disabilities or other factors, in addition to being overlooked by four-year universities who regularly prioritize first-year students. However, recently these four-year universities have changed their misguided priorities by beginning to give equal opportunity to transfer students. Follow:

Voting should be (and can be) thrilling

Share: 750,000 people flooded the streets for the Women’s March in January 2017; however local elections struggle to obtain the same political interest. Participation impact in local elections can be just as large, if not more significant than participation in a protest. Now it’s time to put all that into action into voting for the candidate that represents whatever ideology you believe in as the November 6 General Election races forward. Follow:

Do we really need pageants anymore?

Share: On Monday May 21, a new Miss USA was crowned: Sarah Rose Summers. It’s easy to see why she won; she’s a country girl who grew up in Nebraska, earned two degrees from Texas Christian University in strategic communication and child development, and is certified to be a child life specialist. She’s the exact kind of person that pageants look for. But this poses the question, should pageants still exist in 2018? My answer is, well, kind of. Follow:

Blame it on the Ambien: Our problems are bigger than Roseanne

Share: Beloved and acclaimed media company, Disney, has had its share of racially and ethnically problematic portrayals. Perhaps the most distinct manifestation can be seen in the 1941 film Dumbo. Jim Crow and his group of friends are black crows who don tattered clothing and speak with a long, southern drawl. To match the look, they are depicted as lazy, poor and uneducated, exhibiting stereotypical traits that have long plagued African Americans. Even through the doe-eyed animation, the racial stereotyping and its call to minstrelsy …