Opinion

Plastic Pollution and Recovery

Plastic is a synthetic or a semi-synthetic organic compound created from petrochemicals, chemicals produced from petroleum or natural gas, that can be molded into various shapes and products. Recently there has been some push back on the use of plastics, more specifically single-use plastics. The term “single-use plastics” refers to products that are made to be tossed out after one use like food packaging, straws, bottles, bags and more. The issue with these types of products is the negative impact they can have on the environment and wildlife. 

Biden won, but we’re far from done

Removing their dear leader from office isn’t going to make these people see the light. Doing that will require many, many tough conversations.

Ohio’s Unknown Soldiers: A Veterans Day letter from the past

I hope the rest of my life is a lot better with you than what I have experienced here. I’m sure it will be.

Let’s move forward ... together

In complicated and unpoetic fashion, our hope and joy comes with strings attached.

Opinion: President-Elect Biden’s Climate Reform Plan

President-elect Joe Biden has already declared his climate reform plans just days after it was reported he won the 2020 presidential election on Saturday Nov. 7.

The College Commandments: Music is my religion

Reflecting on what you’re missing isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. For all of us.

And in those small moments, I find this ever-present sense of loss, split into such miniscule pieces that they feel insignificant when compared to the unfathomable losses some people have dealt with during this pandemic.

Confirmed: We need to protect each other

When they stop putting us first, we need to be on our own team. And, sometimes we need to support our more vulnerable team members.

What a COVID Christmas Might Look Like- and What It Could Do To the Environment

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but in 2020, that almost seems impossible. Still, either out of habit or hope, many people have already begun buying gifts for the coming holiday season. But in the midst of this unprecedented historical moment, we should ask ourselves: what exactly will the season of giving look like?

Now is the best time to get a job — and here’s why

I knew this semester had to be different, and online school presented me with a chance to work at that. After applying to multiple places and weighing my options, I took a job at Skipper’s and am so happy I did. 

Yes, I’m a formerly-conservative leftist. No, my professors didn’t brainwash me.

Why, though? Why is it so scary to speak my truth and tell my loved ones that I think capitalism is immoral and that I’ve literally never believed in God despite being a confirmed Catholic?

Cut to the chase with COVID communication

Yes, in the past, we have pushed the school for more frequent communication on COVID-19. But now it’s time for the next step. Quantity means nothing without quality, especially in a pandemic. 

Opinion: The Importance of Wind Power

On Aug. 13, Donald Trump visited the Royal Dutch Shell’s Petrochemical Complex in Pennsylvania to give a speech about energy. While there, he claimed that wind power destroys property and “kills all the birds”. He then went on to say that “Someday, the environmentalists are gonna tell us what’s going on with that,” so as an environmentalist I took it upon myself to accept his challenge and examine this claim. 

‘Halloween isn’t ruined — it’s just different’

Obviously, there are still plenty of ways you can celebrate Halloween while still being safe, masked up and socially distanced. In short, Halloween isn’t ruined — it’s just different.

The Rainbow Mug: “There Is No Right Way to Be Gay”

I was under the misguided impression that being gay meant one thing, and if I didn’t identify with societal bisexual stereotypes, I wasn’t a “good enough” gay person.

Don’t mess up when you dress up

None of this information is meant to scare you into being too afraid to experience or celebrate other cultures. But buying a $50 Native American polyester costume off spirithalloween.com is not the way to accomplish that.

Making Your Screen Time a Little Greener

As a college student during a pandemic, I spend increasingly more time online. I spend so much time on my school days studying and taking classes on a laptop, relaxing on my phone (hello, impulsive online shopping), looking up homework help and texting classmates about my struggles. Knowing that so many other people are in similar situations, I’m so excited to share a few of my favorite environmentally-conscious apps and websites. These apps and websites help to make my numerous hours of staring at a computer and my love for online shopping friendlier to the planet, as well as make me feel a little better about my weekly screen time notifications!

To my fellow leftists: Please vote for Biden, even if it pains you

For someone as privileged as myself, prioritizing my personal dislike for Biden over the urgency of defeating Trump for other Americans’ well-being was selfish and ignorant, period.

AAVE is not your stan culture, Becky

A lot of people on TikTok rely on the use of AAVE to be funny and trendy, but their use of it without being educated is really problematic.

The only one that can win the next debate is you

It may be easier to turn off the television and walk away from this chaos, but we shouldn’t. And why?