YAL is not any of the things it claims to be. It is riddled with hypocrisy and paradoxes, only wanting to further its own agenda by using dubious language and antagonizing those who are brave enough to call YAL what it really is: a platform for right-wing extremists and a license for hate speech. The rejection of YAL’s petition was not a violation of individual liberty, but rather an example of how individual liberty can be virtuously harnessed for the good of the greater community.
Read moreWhy We Don't Need Any More "Political" Clubs on Campus
I think the goal should be to create different areas for expression outside of the political spectrum. Many students are overwhelmed with the number of political events occurring daily, and as we become adults, we must stay on top of current events. This can be very exhausting. Clubs should be outlets for students to express their interests and find new passions and that we should shift our focus from trying to create political safe-spaces to just creating safe spaces.
Read moreFinger Snaps: Brunch II, A Haiku
What Exactly is March Madness?
I ask myself that question every year when I hear that this infamous time in College Basketball is approaching. Growing up with two brothers in a very sport- loving family, I have come to appreciate the casual basketball game on television, even following some teams that my family likes. But March Madness? I don’t think I have ever really understood it.
Read moreThe Myth of Liberal America
In Saratoga, and across imperial nations, aesthetics of inclusion often mask the continued exploitation of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Read moreCommunity, Tradition, and Celtic Music: Ida Mihok restarts Irish Dance club at Skidmore
Being a slim five percent Irish, heritage was almost certainly out of the picture. The remaining culprit was the prancing Celtic music her family has always listened to—along with, of course, her own being in the right place at the right time. Whether by fate or coincidence, though, one part of the story remains clear: when a then-seven-year-old Ida Mihok saw her first Irish dance performance in a local theater, she knew she had to try it herself. Eleven years later—with just as many years of dance experience in her back pocket—Mihok is a freshman at Skidmore, working to revive the school’s Irish dance club as its new president.
Read moreStudent Opinions on Biden’s First 100 Days
During his campaign, Biden made a bevy of promises not limited to a quick vaccine rollout, better healthcare options, an overhaul of the immigration system, new policies to combat climate change, and official administrative projects to promote racial equity. Is he successfully fulfilling his promises? And if not, what could he be doing better? Skidmore students answered these questions and shared their thoughts on the matter.
Read moreCollege’s Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Anthony Abraham Jack
At their kitchen counter, on their last afternoon together, sat two students who look the same, who inspire the same polite caution, and who might be championed under the same racial statistical umbrella. Yet, something crucial separates the two.
Read moreFinger Snaps: Brunch, A Haiku
A Twelve Month-Long Decade
This year brought a decade’s worth of lessons; for that, I am wiser. I was forced to detach from the conscience I created from pieces of other people; for that, I am self-aware. I learned it was possible for my whole world to change in one day; for that, I am grateful for today.
Read moreBreaking Through Boundaries: Dr Yusef Salaam Addresses the Skidmore Community
One of the younger boys that was wrongfully convicted for six and a half years, Yusef Salaam, spoke to Skidmore students this past Thursday, March 6th, hosting both a student workshop in the afternoon and a live Q&A later at night. Given how far-reaching Salaam’s story is, it was an honor to hear him speak about his commitment to advocacy and education regarding police brutality, misconduct, and racial bias in the American criminal justice system.
Read moreOn How the NFL Embodies American Hypocrisy
There seems to be a good-as-unanimous consensus that football—and by extension, the National Football League (NFL)—serves as a fundamental, thoroughly red-white-and-blue emblem of American culture, along with grill-branded burgers, guns, and violently orange-colored cheddar cheese. A zoom into the sports world reveals that the NFL has dominated attendance, television ratings, merchandise, and revenue for years now compared to other American sports, and thus is comfortably situated on its very own throne.
Read moreStudent Forums Open a Dialogue on Campus Safety Reforms
In the last year, the United States has begun to confront its connected past with racism and racial inequity. College students have been some of the most outspoken voices, with many from all over the country bringing their experiences with racial bias and prejudice to the fore. Many Skidmore College students have followed suit, but the College as an institution has a long way to go before it is considered “outspoken” in issues of racial justice. A central point of contention on campus has been the Skidmore Campus Safety Department and instances of racial prejudice.
Read moreWhat about friendship breakups?
I wrote this when I was going through a friendship break up, but I kept it stored away in the void of my laptop, and it eventually collected dust because I wasn’t ready to share it at the time.
Read moreFinger Snaps: The Meadows, Haiku
Governor Cuomo Faces Scandals on the Eve of the 2022 Election
Over the past few months, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s COVID-19 press briefing heroics have been fading into the past, and he is currently amidst multiple scandals.
Read moreSpring Covid Precautions Yield Increased Plastic Waste
Skidmore’s 2020 Fall semester proved just how different college during a pandemic would look and feel. One seemingly small but significant change is the use of plastic to-go containers in the dining hall. When students returned to campus at the end of January, this waste-producing routine was only exacerbated by the safe shelter mode that defined our first week on campus.
Read moreWhy Mental Health Matters Now More Than Ever
When you get sick or scrape your knee, the immediate reaction is to take medicine or grab a bandage. But what about when you are having a mental health day; when your anxiety or depression is making you feel worse than a cold or a scraped knee could? The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives more than any other time in history. Quarantine became the new norm and, for months on end, our mental health has paid the price.
Read moreTexas Winter Storms Incite a State Crisis
During the winter season in Saratoga Springs, it is normal to experience one or two Nor’easters. Students don heavy coats and boots, classes continue, and life carries on. As the national news reports, however, other parts of the country have been affected severely by strong winter storms this year. Over the past two weeks, Texas – a state not known for having much snow – has been hit by two heavy winter storms.
Read moreCelebrating Black Athletes: 5 Movies To Watch for Black History Month
As we close out Black History Month, it’s a great time to reflect on some of the most incredible and monumental African-American athletes that helped transform the world of sports that we know today. From the track to the court, these athletes’ excellence, hard work, and determination helped them overcome and shift racial barriers in sports. Here are 5 movies, all based on true stories, to watch to celebrate some of these athletes that revolutionized their sport. Happy viewing!
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