Opinion -

Office DJ: Songs for life's road trips and pit stops

By Liv Reilly | March 2

"These are the songs that are played as I make my way through whatever this crazy life is. These are the songs that are played as I try to make it through my first year of college. These are also the songs that were played as my dad and I drove through Texas for thirteen hours in one day and the only thing that kept us alive was praline pecans."

Column: Bomb threats at HBCUs are another act of violence against Black students

By Charity Cohen | March 1

"Racism and hatred toward Black people who are seeking to better themselves intellectually still exists, and isn’t a remnant of the past, but rather a practice of the present. Knowledge is power and white supremacy functions best when that power is stripped from the individuals that it hopes to oppress."

Editorial: Undocumented students need more representation in N.C. universities

By Editorial Board | March 1

"While there are no technical legal barriers that bar undocumented students from college classrooms, financial barriers serve a glaringly similar purpose."

Editorial: Mitigating the effect of the pandemic on speech development

By Editorial Board | February 28

"Isolation caused by the pandemic has also created concern among educators and parents as we wonder what the future effects of social isolation and the comfort in it may have on these generations. In an effort to support all students, regardless of where they are in speech development, it is imperative that primary educators implement options such as plexiglass desks or clear masks in their classrooms. Only then can we begin to mitigate the social effects of the pandemic on student learning."

Editorial: The language requirement must be expanded for UNC students

By Editorial Board | February 28

"UNC must expedite the process for approving languages not offered at UNC — without doing so, we continue to value languages, and therefore cultures, differentially."

Column: Want to improve students’ mental health? Design better spaces.

By Savannah Bradley | February 27

"The psychology of both exterior and interior design is a relatively new concept (and long overdue). The benefit here is not just for students struggling with their mental health — it’s for anyone who needs a place to land."

Editorial: NC is not immune to far-right politicians

By Editorial Board | February 27

"It’s absolutely necessary that we pay attention to the things our politicians are doing and saying — both in and out of the political arena. Robinson is dangerous for N.C. — his temperament and intolerance make him unfit to serve as lieutenant governor, let alone hold the governor’s seat."

Editorial: Where to find new spots to soak up the sun

By Editorial Board | February 27

"For those that want to soak up the sun and enjoy the warm weather, here are some alternative locations when you’ve been pushed to the quad's overflow seating."

Editorial: COVID-19 proves that technology can only help in the classroom

By Editorial Board | February 24

"It is time that professors drop outdated 'no-technology' rules and adapt to the latest developments."

Editorial: Orange County School Board lifts mask mandate prematurely

By Editorial Board | February 22

"Our 'return to normalcy' must be gradual. COVID-19 precautions should only be removed after the consequences of these actions are fully understood. Public input — as well as that of public health experts — should guide our decision-making, not just the guidance of politicians."

Column: Reclaiming February for single people

By Hannah Kaufman | February 22

"But if you do happen to be an attractive fish with a nice smile, kind eyes, sense of humor and great personality — feel free to hit me up."

Column: Reviewing Netflix's "Inventing Anna"

By Charlsie Doan | February 21

"The series is soapy, dramatic and riveting, just like I’d expect from any Shondaland production, but it’s also an emotional rollercoaster. Viewers find themselves torn between disgust and sympathy for Anna herself and for the people she tricks."

Column: Swindle and scam culture are fueled by desires for clout

By Zari Taylor | February 21

"The 'Tinder Swindler' and Anna Delvey demonstrate that people are willing to believe a lie if it’s covered in designer clothing, desperate for a luxurious life — even if it’s superficial."

Column: Transformative justice is key in addressing Asian American violence

By Nicholas Li-wen Hatcher | February 21

"We will continue to see more and more violence if we rely on the same tired responses to violent crime. In order to move forward and create a world where Asian Americans are actually safer, we need a path forward that addresses all of the issues highlighted by these killings. Transformative justice models can help us chart that path."

Office DJ: Songs to overcome (or embrace) nostalgia

By Caitlyn Yaede | February 21

"Change has always been difficult for me, and my twenty-first birthday is another reminder of how much my life has changed, just since coming to UNC. I’m using this time (and these songs) to become more comfortable with change."

'Mass' is 2021's best picture — even if you've never heard of it

By Guillermo Molero | February 21

"The beauty of “Mass” lies in its humanity. It explores the deepest evils of humanity and attempts, likely in vain, to make up for them. The pain of the characters on screen becomes your own, and you too begin to search for explanations and answers that they’ll never have."

Editorial: New political maps, same problem

By Editorial Board | February 20

"When you vote, make ending gerrymandering a political priority, and be aware of how your district representatives feel about the issue. It’s up to us to push for changes to how maps are redrawn — our policymakers won’t do it for us."

Editorial: Life on the "bubble” for UNC basketball

By Editorial Board | February 20

"The NCAA basketball tournament is a much-anticipated annual tradition for UNC basketball fans. Currently, the team has qualified for the last ten tournaments — the fourth-longest active streak in the nation. But that streak is in jeopardy. After not living up to preseason expectations and some recent losses (including a shocking home loss versus a bad Pittsburgh team), the team finds itself on the fringe of the NCAA tournament, better known as the 'bubble.'"

Column: Dismantling our stereotypes about gender and music

By Sophie Teague | February 20

"Interests, whether they be sports teams or music artists, should not be gendered. Gendering these interests creates harmful stereotypes and influences which interests society places more value on. Next time someone expresses criticism for someone’s music taste or appreciation of art in general, ask them where that criticism comes from."

Column: Unmask 'Unmask UNC'

By Caitlyn Yaede | February 17

"If you’re passionate about changing campus policies — and not just riling up the readers of your message who happen to walk by it — you would not leave your message in cowardly anonymity. The appropriate forum for these difficult discussions shouldn’t be threatened by some rain or passersby with water bottles."