OPINION
THE OSWEGONIAN FRIDAY, March 31, 2017
Americans’ lack of knowledge Tip of of court justices is ridiculous the hat...
B5
◊...to Tomi Lahren’s suspension. ◊...to those who do not drive safely. ◊...to people who cannot name even one Supreme Court Justice.
◊...to those who drive safely. ◊...to the recipients of the Chancellor Awards. ◊...to everyone who helped out with Rokerthon.
Wag of the finger...
Appreciate SAPB’s effort for OzFest Of all of the Supreme Court Justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the most well known by Americans.
Focus on having a good time, not inconsistencies in performers
Shenandoah Briere Opinion Editor sbriere@oswegonian.com
Issack Cintron Copy Editor issackcintron@oswegonian.com
Photo provided by European University Institute via flickr
It is absolutely saddening even just one United States Supreme Court Justice puts you in a minority in America. Results of a recent C-SPAN poll showed the average American could barely name a justice of the highest court in the country. According to the poll, only 43 percent or about four in 10 people, could name one justice, with the majority naming the notorious RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This means that more than half the country could not name a single person on the court. While it is no wonder that Ginsburg is the most notable, every other justice serves a purpose as well. Some may not be as outspoken as Ginsburg, but they all have a say in the daily rights afforded to citizens by the Constitution and are usually sought after for highly debated and publicized issues. It is beyond ridiculous to not be able to name even one justice, especially in a country that seems so focused on politics. It is even more interesting since Republicans are dying to give deceased Justice Antonio Scalia’s seat to nominee Neil Gorsuch, but cannot name other members of the court. Lately, people have jumped at the
chance to discuss politics, often ending in arguments and family division, yet a minority of people can name the representatives holding one of the most prestigious and powerful positions in America. The nine-person court helps to review laws and decide the law of the land, from gay marriage to fundamental constitutional rights involving the First Amendment. Of the people who can name a justice, it would not be surprising if most are involved with the public justice system, such as a lawyer or a journalist. It is extremely important, however, for everyone to know who represents the highest court in the nation. T he S u p re me C ou r t h a s t he option to review cases and determine whether a law should be passed in the U.S. So, to all the women who cannot name one justice, let this be a re minder that these are the same people who afford women the choice to choose whether or not they want to have an abortion. To same sex couples, let this be a reminder that these are the people who voted to make gay marriage legal under the Constitution and ruled that not allowing same sex couples to g e t m a r r i e d w a s a v i ol a t i o n o f their Constitutional rights. People may not be able to stand in front of the Supreme Court, but it does not mean that those who fill those nine chairs are not significant.
Academia thrives with activism, allows students louder voice
Since its inception, OzFest has been the subject of much scrutiny by Oswego State students. Serving as the alternative option to the Bridge Street Run pub crawl, OzFest was the product of the Student Association Programming Board in 2015 to provide students with a year-end event that could satisfy the unofficial loss of the pub crawl. However, the first two events have been inconsistent, to say the least and students have not been shy about expressing their feelings about it. The inaugural OzFest remains arguably the most successful execution of the event, due largely to the starpower in the musical lineup of hip-hop heavyweights Big Sean, B.o.B. and Mac Miller. The presence of such recognizable musical acts made for a significant turnout from Oswego State students, as it was seemingly crucial for the first OzFest to knock it out of the park in order for students to remain excited for the future events. This incredible attempt to provide students with a year-end event to be excited for came with a price, figuratively and literally. The first OzFest was costly as the performers brought in were not cheap. This, arguably, could have factored in to the 2016 festival, which boasted a lineup that was received as mediocre, despite having Flo Rida as the headliner, another performer with starpower. The event itself was a mess, with Flo Rida arriving late for his performance and rapper Dej Loaf not showing over a dispute with her plane ticket. Ultimately, students left
Photo provided by Drew de F Fawless via flickr The Student Association Programming Board announced Sunday that DNCE would be headlining OzFest.
with a negative perception about OzFest. After two events, OzFest has yet to find its identity. The 2015 and 2016 events starkly contrast one another. Students wonder which type of OzFest they will be presented with moving forward. On Sunday, the performers for the 2017 festival were announced as DNCE and ABoogie Wit Da Hoodie to a mixed reception once again. On one hand, some students will recognize DNCE for their hit “Cake by the Ocean,” that peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 2016 and may find some excitement in the fact that one of the group’s members is Joe Jonas, formerly of the popular band the Jonas Brothers. On the other hand, other students may be slightly unsure of who A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is given his underground status.
Regardless of the performers’ starpower, or the inconsistency of the event itself, it is the effort put forth by SA that should be appreciated. In 2015, SA undertook the tough assignment in providing a form of enter tainment to a group of college students that could dissuade them from participating in the BSR. To SA’s credit, they have worked tirelessly to book popular artists that appeal to Oswego State students and have been successful in creating a festival with numerous activities for students to take part in. Students should not base the success of OzFest on the popularity of the scheduled performers. It should be based on the entertainment and celebration of successfully completing another strenuous academic year.
Republican Party full of snowflakes Lahren takes powerful political stance, gets arbitrary suspension Madlyn Schafer Staff Writer opinion@oswegonian.com
Photo provided by fibonacci blue via flickr Lately colleges have seen more students participating in marches, protests and rallies to discuss their concerns.
Andre Nichols Contributing Writer opinion@oswegonian.com There is much to be said in terms of activism, particularly in students. A collective sense of wielding the power to bring about great change to the world surrounding them thrives through the corridors of academia. From Vietnam, to the Women and Gay Rights movements, to the Iraq War, to rising college costs, there appears to be an understanding that a collection of voices, in unison in feeling opinion or reason, can shift the tides of persuasion to their side. That said, it has become evident that in the year 2017, activism and passions of college students across the spectrum have all but dissipated. Largely in part to polarizing issues, as well as a contentious recent presidential election, a deep sense of responsibility has been called upon by a generation who has, in part, begun to understand the power of their voice on multiple given issues. Take for example, the issue of controversial speakers, like Richard Spencer, Milo Yiannopolous and Ben Shapiro whose views and opinions have been argued to include inflammatory statements targeted at marginalized individuals including Muslims, undocumented persons and transgender individuals. The students of University of California at Berkeley, in particular, rallied in protest against controversial conservative commentator Milo Yiannopolous. In an article on student activism in USA Today, one sophomore was noted as someone not
particularly involved in activism, but given the call made by other students to protest Yiannopolous’s commentary, she was “starting to change her mind.” This is of no coincidence, given what can be perceived as a significantly polarized national conversation. With regards to the Oswego State campus, the call for students to advocate on issues of consequence to the world surrounding them. From climate change, to domestic abuse and sexual assault, and protecting students and demanding to make Oswego State a sanctuary campus, there is anything but a shortage of on-campus activism. It is important to recognize the future ramifications of record numbers of students taking charge and becoming activists. The generation of students that has once again brought activism and advocacy to the forefront will go on to become the leaders grappling with the issues that test the world they live in. This active and forward approach holds the potential to set a precedent of which the national social, political, and economic conversation is dominated by community organized, grassroots activism will become the norm in which people arrive at the decisions and policies that become the law of the land. The importance of the strengthening, as well as continuance, of students becoming active voices in their world cannot go understated. In the future, history will recall that college campuses, the town squares of the U.S. and their students, played a significant role in shaping the world around them through their rigorous activism and advocacy.
A 24-year-old called a bunch of people hypocrites and now they want her fired because she hurt their feelings. On March 17, liberal agitator Tomi Lahren guest starred on the daytime talk show “The View” and took part in their hot topics round table discussion. During Lahren’s appearance she was questioned about her Conservative ideologies, but her stance on abortion surprised many. It was in that interview that Lahren talked her way into getting her show and free speech suspended. Lahren is a political commentator on her show “Tomi” on The Blaze network, which was founded by Glenn Beck, a notable author and veteran Conservative talk show host. Shortly after Lahren’s visit to “The View,” her show was suspended for one reason: She called out Republicans, stating they are hypocrites. “I am for limited government and so I can’t sit here and be a hypocrite and say I’m for limited government, but I think that the government should decide what women do with their bodies,” Lahren said on “The View.” Beck defends his claims that Lahren was not an ideal employee and had many problems with her staff which has ultimately lead to her suspension. The real problem is not whether Lahren supports abortion or not, but why she was suspended in the first place and why she still is over a week later. Beck has a strong religious Conservative following and by his employee going after traditional thinkers, he acted to not lose his base, his money and his fame. Beck hired Lahren because of her bulldog attitude for going after leftist thinkers and for her demographics of being a young, Conservative woman. Lahren,
Photo provided by Gage Skidmore via flickr Tomi Lahren and her show, “Tomi,” were suspended after she voiced her stance on abortion.
originally from the Midwest, attracts viewers that traditional channels like Fox News, CNN and MSNBC do not appeal to. On Twitter she states she shares libertarian, conservative and moderate views on different topics. Lahren claims she has always defended her beliefs with evidence and fact, which is exactly what viewers know her for. So, if she uses facts, creates logical arguments, defends her beliefs and brings in millions of viewers from across the country, why is Lahren still suspended? Lahren, who is famous for going after Democratic college students and calling them snowflakes, can now call her own party members snowflakes as well. Lahren is still suspended because the Republican Party has gone soft. The members of the Republican Party have become snowflakes. The Republican Par ty has always devoted itself to protecting the First Amendment, so it should not be OK that one of their media leaders was suspended for using her freedom of speech. Beck answered those weak calls from his fans
and suspended Lahren solely to keep those fans happy. What the media and politicians have still failed to realize, even after President Donald Trump’s unforeseen victory, is that there are millions of Republicans out there not identifying with traditional Republican views anymore. Call them the silent majority, call them anything you want, but know these people want the government out of their purses, out of their guns, out of their bodies and out of their lives. Lahren is representing those people, giving an overlooked group of Americans a voice. Whether it is the fact that she is a young woman whose bold attitude cannot be contained or simply because she does not fit the typical Republican mold, she is now paying the price. Anyone who believes in the First Amendment and basic rights, can stand with Lahren and agree that she was suspended for the very thing that makes her famous: her courageous