Opinion
As We See It
csceagle.com | The Eagle | Feb. 10, 2022
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Giving voice to Chadron State College students since 1920
From the Editor’s desk
Is Nebraska becoming too conservative for Gen Z?
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he other day I saw a campaign video for Jim Pillen, a candidate running for Nebraska governor, on Twitter. In the video, he addresses the usual issues that “Cornhusker Conservatives” care about: blue lives matter, gun rights and fighting the “crazy liberals in Washington.” In the list of responses to the tweet I saw a response from a friend of mine. And why are people leaving Nebraska?” Now, this isn’t something we haven’t heard before. Since I was a kid, I’ve heard that young people have been leaving Nebraska at an alarming rate. People are apparently calling it “brain drain.” According to a KMTV 3 article from March, 2021, it happens because cities have more draw than the smaller towns that make up Nebraska. They have more nightlife and more to occupy your time, making the choice to move easy.
According to the Center for Public Affairs, roughly 2,000 people between the ages of 20 and 29 have moved out of Nebraska each year because of this supposed “brain drain.” It’s causing a loss in tax revenue for the state and, as an attempt to fix the damage, colleges like ours are trying to encourage graduates to get jobs in the state. But maybe it isn’t the nightlife or job opportunities that young people are leaving Nebraska for. Maybe it has something to do with the values the state and its representatives hold that is causing the migration. Our current governor, Pete Ricketts, has been backed by heavily conservative groups, such as the Nebraska Family Alliance, for years. He has stood against policies that promote gender identity equality and women’s reproductive rights. On Jan. 28, he supported a proclamation to recognize
the pro-life flag in Nebraska is a Nebraska. wonderful state. There Now I’m all for aren’t many places left respecting the beliefs in the world that have of everyone, but I so much open space don’t remember him and greenery. ever recognizing the I’m always amazed LGBTQ+ or proby its beauty, and I choice flags. don’t think I’ll ever But he isn’t the get the chance to fully only government explore it all. official in the state But I don’t know Aubrie Lawrence that are pushing conhow much longer I’ll be servative views and driving out able to stay here when my rights young, liberal Nebraskans. are being put on the line. On Jan. 19, Senator Deb I want my friends who are Fischer received an A+ rating part of the LGBTQ+ commufrom the Susan B. Anthony list nity, who come from a variety National Pro-Life Scorecard. She of different cultures and are all supports passing a bipartisan bill different races to feel safe here. that would prohibit abortions in And if that means I have to Nebraska after 15 weeks. move to a city for that to hapAs a young woman who pen, then that’s what I’ll do. leans a bit more to the liberal It’s not the nightlife that’s side, it’s concerning to see Pildriving some of use young len, as well as the other candiNebraskans away from the dates with his same values, that state, it’s the lack of respect for are running for governor and nontraditional values that is higher offices. doing it.
As You Said It!
EDITORIAL EDITOR-In-CHIEF Aubrie Lawrence editor@csceagle.com NEWS EDITOR news@csceagle.com OPINION EDITOR Velvet Jessen opinion@csceagle.com SPORTS EDITOR Mackenzie Dahlberg sports@csceagle.com LIFESTYLES EDITOR lifestyles@csceagle.com AG & RANGE EDITOR Kamryn Kozisek ageditor@csceagle.com DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Madyson Schliep photo@csceagle.com CO-ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Andrew Avila Kinsey Smith ads@csceagle.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER subscriptions@csceagle.com NEWSROOM CONTACT PHONE & EMAIL Editorial: 308-432-6303 editor@csceagle.com Advertising: 308-432-6304 ads@csceagle.com GENERAL EMAIL QUERIES editor@csceagle.com MAILING ADDRESS The Eagle Old Admin, Room 235 Chadron State College 1000 Main St. Chadron NE 69337 FACULTY ADVISER Michael D. Kennedy Office: 308-432-6047 mkennedy@csc.edu
We asked: What were you doing when you got the bomb threat notification?
MEMBERSHIPS Nebraska Press Association
Jessy Sexton 20, sophomore, Otis, Colorado “I was asleep during the entire thing.”
Alexis Kramer 18, freshman, St. Paul “I was making white lie T-shirts for the game.”
Porter Anderson 23, sophomore, Russellville, Arizona
Hannah Pfeifly 22, junior, Stromsberg
Jordan Nwalor 20, junior, Gilbert, Arizona
“Napping.”
“I was watching a movie with my boyfriend.”
“I was at practice.”
Participation on The Eagle staff is open to all Chadron State College students. The Eagle is a student newspaper produced by and for students of Chadron State College. Opinions expressed in editorials and columns written by the student staff belong solely to the authors. As a public forum, The Eagle invites guest columns and letters to the editor from all readers. Opinions expressed in submissions belong solely to the author(s) and DO NOT necessarily reflect the opinions of The Eagle staff, its adviser, CSC students, staff, faculty, administrators or governing body. Please limit all guest columns or letters to 400 words. Deadline for submissions is noon Monday for consideration in the following Thursday’s edition. The Eagle reserves the right to edit or reject all submissions.
