The death of a nation: identity politics and public political discourse
In the age of Trumpism, it is not difficult to discern that the caliber of political discourse in our nation has fallen to lows unparalleled in recent years. Identity politics…
Commentary
Thought-out decisions in politics
Politics has always been a hot-button issue in the United States of America and today it has been even more prevalent in everyday conversations. However, recent news has proved, to…
Pollution in Ocean City, a chain reaction of effects
I was born and raised in Ocean City, Maryland and growing up there was always so special. People constantly ask me “do you actually live in Ocean City?” and “what…
It’s time to end the mental illness stigma for student-athletes
Mental health stigma has become an increasingly large problem in society. The NCAA has, in previous years, disregarded athletes’ mental health. However, the organization has made the initial effort to conduct…
Higher Achievement Baltimore takes the lead
In the past few years Baltimore City has made budget cuts to help close a financial gap of 130 million dollars. This lead to the the layoff of teachers, staff,…
Adhering to the Honor Code versus passing the class
At McDaniel College, the Honor Code is displayed on a plaque in every classroom to discourage students from cheating. Unfortunately, this does not stop students from doing just that. “If…
Quiet the mind, live in the now: The benefits of meditation
Meditation can lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and lower heart rate. So why isn’t it a part of everyone’s daily routine? Meditation has many different names and has been practiced…
Human rights, a nonpartisan issue
Somehow, in the short time that human rights have been truly established, they have become a partisan issue all around the world, and from my point of view, a particularly…
Stop the single-use plastic bottle pollution
According to a 2017 report from The Guardian, 1 million plastic water bottles are purchased world-wide every minute. That’s expected to jump another 20 percent in the next two years….
A harder pill to swallow: IUDs should be the preferred form of birth control
Most women who seek birth control, whether as a response to heavy and painful periods or as a contraceptive to have safer and more enjoyable sex, are familiar with the…
The importance of music education
As the Arts and Culture Editor for the Free Press, I don’t think it is surprising for me to declare that I think the Arts are important. I have played…
The case against coffee: Tea is the healthier alternative
As colder weather grips the Hill and the busy schedule of the new semester settles in, many students might be inclined to instinctively reach for a hot cup of coffee…
Society’s use of feminine hygiene products oppresses women
For many women, menstruation is the epitome of femininity and the ultimate celebration of womanhood. Unfortunately, the portrayal of menstruation in society is also a major cause for anxiety, discomfort,…
Financial literacy in college
The 2008 recession was basically the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s. In just over 19 months, the Great Recession wiped out trillions of dollars of…
Voting climate at McDaniel
Just like the presidential years, midterm elections create an atmosphere where politicians and government officials encourage everyone to vote. Even though people are encouraged to vote, this does not mean…
I didn’t think it would happen to me
One in four women will be sexually assaulted while in college, usually during their freshman year. However, only one in 50 will report the incident. I know the majority of women reading…
Why we must take action on climate change
Imagine if you were given 12 years to change something. What would you do? Most likely, you’d push it off until the last minute and get it done before the…
The future of Democratic and Republican parties
Where are the two parties going? This is the question that many Americans and pundits are asking themselves after the 2018 midterm election. It seems that the parties are going into…
Talk about resources for sexual assault survivors
An average of 321,500 sexual assaults occur each year in the U.S., according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. That means 880 every day, 36 every hour, and one…
The superhero gaze
Superman was the first character to have a big-budget superhero film in 1978 when Richard Donner directed a film named after the character. It was a box office success that…