“Heritage Panels” Give Diverse Students Outlet for Expression

By Christina Jiminez

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – When students graduate from high school, they’ve been educated in history, English, math and science. But unfortunately for some, bullying and racism are included. The YWCA,Young Women’s Christian Association, works to help affected students through a program known as the Heritage Panel.

Heritage Panel is an inclusive group of high school students that encourage their peers to make school a more welcoming place to be. Their main focus is to eliminate racism, promote peace and empower women. The panel discusses important and ignored issues that may affect their schools. The Americorps members facilitated the Heritage Panel. Americorps is a non profitable civil society program that is supported by the federal government.

Is Cheer More Than a Sport?

By Jada Woods

Ryan O’Connor does not think cheerleading should be a sport. As a coach and a former cheerleader herself, she believes it’s something much more than that.

“We are a team,” O’Connor said. “We support other sports, we help fundraising, and go to Kappa [sorority] events. We will never be a sport. We are way bigger than just a sport.”

State Representative Seeks to Allow Open Carry on Campuses

By Elizabeth Flaherman

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With the unfortunate prevalence of school shootings grabbing headlines across the country, voters in Alabama are desperate for a way to protect their children. Among these concerned citizens is State Rep. Mack Butler, the proponent of the failed Bill 12 in the Alabama House of Representatives. Bill 12, a rejected proposed amendment to the state constitution, would have allowed for students at state college and university campuses to openly carry firearms.

Things We Don’t See

By Jada Woods 

We say he’s hateful but how can it be
Yet his actions just can’t be
How can someone have so little of a heart
Or maybe it’s as big as can be
He’s hiding it all: emotions, feelings and caring for people
Everything comes out and maybe it is time for them to spring up
But maybe he’s blocking it and building a wall

We say he’s hateful but how can it be
Yet his actions just can’t be
How can someone has so little of a heart
Or maybe it’s as big as can be
He’s hiding it all emotions, feelings, and caring for people
Everything comes out and maybe it is time for them to spring up
But maybe he’s blocking it and building a wall.

 

College students give perspectives on slut shaming

By Love Lundy 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Students in Tuscaloosa said they hope that slut shaming eventually disappears and are actively working to make women more comfortable wearing what they want and not being shamed for their sexual encounters.

Whether it’s a young woman called a slut for being open about her sexual endeavors or a high school student written up for showing her shoulders during class, girls and women experience slut shaming during their years of high school from fellow students and family members.

Political Profiles in the Community on Donald Trump

By Christina Jimenez

He might be the most controversial President in the history of the White House. Not even 200 days in his first term, President Donald Trump’s decisions in office have changed people’s lives.

One of his first executive orders, Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States, suspended the entry of immigrants from seven Muslim countries: Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia.

A federal appeals court blocked President Trump’s ban on six of the seven Muslim-majority countries targeted in the order. President Trump plans to appeal to the Supreme Court to enforce the policy on all seven nations. When Trump first proposed the ban in January it created an uproar and uncertainty.

Through ROTC Funding, vets sidestep debts

By Elizabeth Flaherman

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For many prospective college students, ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) may seem like the only way to pay for a four-year degree. For some of them, the potential danger of joining ROTC will pay off in a college education and successful career, whether as a soldier or civilian. But others, just because they wanted to go to college, will end up making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Police Brutality: More than just racism

By John Burns

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – As police departments across the United States continue to struggle with policing minority communities, conflicting information about policies and procedures continues to muddy the waters around the conversation.

Students Challenge Racism One Conversation at a Time

By Lamarcus Weir

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – When a classmate outed Amaya McNealy for speaking “white” simply because she enunciates her words, she was taken aback.

“A lot of people are surprised by the way that I speak,” she said. “They don’t express it but I can tell it on their faces.”

Bryant Museum Connects Community

By Hannah Sanders

Bryant Museum Connects Community

By Hannah Sanders