Opinion

Nov 15, 2008

The First Black President: No more excuses

Tuesday November 4th, 2008 marked the end of an amazing presidential campaign and the beginning of the first black presidency. Senator Barack Obama beat Senator John McCain by a landslide, winning 364 electoral votes, while only needing 270 to win.

Nov 13, 2008

Something needs to change

Tuesday night, a new chapter was added to our history books. In the 231 years of the United States of America, we, the United States of America elected our first Black President. Millions of people around the world celebrated. At N.C. State, after a night of parties, celebration, and tears of joy, we woke the next morning to a rude awakening.

Nov 5, 2008

Friendless: No friends versus fair-weather friends

What is a best friend? Most would say it is the one person you can talk to about anything. Others would say a best friend is someone who sticks with you through the good and the bad. Is it possible to have more than one best friend? Maybe, but can you have too many friends? Is it okay to have no friends?

Nov 5, 2008

Recent threats on Obama’s life cause fears to resurface

Since well before Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign, a substantial part of the African-American community held the belief that any black presidential candidate with a serious chance of winning would surely meet the same fate that too many black leaders have; assassination. As November 4th drew closer, the fears have become more and more real for many African-Americans, as there have been two reported plots to make attempts on Obama's life.

Nov 5, 2008

Voting For Change (Also Barack Obama)

There's really nothing to do in this town. Well, if you're 18 and don't like to smoke, gamble, pay taxes, get married or tattooed, or sign up for a Sam's Club membership. But there is one thing I can do: vote.

Oct 24, 2008

The Color of Love: Embracing and Accepting Interracial Relationships

Relationships. All of us (whether we want to admit it or not) have had them or want them at some point in our lives. The truth is that no man is an island and we need something called love to survive. Unfortunately, the ideas of misguided generations have created barriers to what kind of relationship one should have. One of the largest barriers is labeled race.

Oct 24, 2008

The Fierce Urgency of Now: Finding your political truth

With elevated gas prices, a severely damaged economy, and many of our friends and loved ones fighting a war, it is needless to say that voting is more important now than it has ever been. Not only is it important to get out and vote. It is important to weigh the options and make an informed decision that will affect your future.

Sep 24, 2008

Juicy Campus: Talkin’ it up

What better way to express how you feel about someone but through anonymous replies on blogs from peers in your very own college or university. Juicy Campus, the hot new website where anyone is free to place personal gossip blogs about the activity and people on campus has caused quiet a bit of talk around North Carolina State University. Just recently introduced to the North Carolina State University college campus, it has caused some talk among the student body. As quoted by the Juicy Campus blog itself "This is the place to spill the juice about all the crazy stuff going on at your campus. It's totally anonymous."

Sep 24, 2008

“… You Can Be My Black Kate Moss Tonight” – Distorted perceptions of beauty in minorities

We've all heard the phrase "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder" and we'd all like to believe that to be true. I have a hard time putting my faith in this saying because it seems as if people have a misconception of what beauty really is. Are we really letting society starve young women to death? Is less more? Kanye West's lyrics made me think about the underlying taboo of eating disorders in minorities. I began to wonder where it all started. Culturally, African Americans have an advantage over European Americans when it comes to issues of weight. African Americans tend to find larger body types attractive and have fewer restrictions on their diets. As the ideals of older generations subside newer perceptions have emerged.

Sep 24, 2008

Who are we to judge? Judgment and perception ruin reputations of college students

Whether or not we want to face it, judgment is a part of our everyday routine. Our judgment and perception of others affects everything from what we wear to who we dine with to who we vote for. In some form or another we are judging and being judged all the time. The degree to which we judge and what we judge varies and depends on our personalities and life experiences. Some judge actions, while others judge appearances and some use a combination of factors to access who and what they allow in their lives.

Sep 14, 2008

The Problem with “Acting White”

Many of us in the black community have heard the term "acting white." Many of us may have even been accused of "acting white" at one point or another. We are hearing this statement more and more now, in reference to Barack Obama. So it is time for us to ask ourselves the question, is there such a thing as acting white? What are the connotations of that statement? If there is a certain way to act white, then can somebody act black?

Sep 14, 2008

A Plan for the Unplanned: Pregnant College Students Dropping Out

When most people think of college, they imagine a new found freedom and a fresh start to the beginning of their adult lives. This is how it should be, but poor decisions about safe sex get in the way. Pregnant is the last word on any college students mind, but when mishaps are made it becomes the first.