GRAPHIC
Election 2024: An overview of presidential candidates and political events
By Hannah Dillon associate.editor@thenorthernlight.org
This election year has been eventful as candidates race to the finish line on Nov. 5. This is an overview of the election year so far.
On Jan. 5, the U.S. Supreme Court started the year by reviewing a Colorado Supreme Court ruling on whether former President Donald Trump was eligible for Colorado’s Republican primary ballot.
Soon after the court’s decision in favor of Trump, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie withdrew his Republican Party presidential candidacy and became an undecided voter.
Also in January, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Gov. of Florida Ron DeSantis revoked their Republican Party candidacies and endorsed Trump.
Democratic Party candidate Marianne Williamson ended her campaign and endorsed President Joe Biden at the beginning of February.
The U.S. Justice Department released a report that determined Biden was not guilty for criminal charges that involved allegedly taking classified documents at the end of Biden’s Vice Presidency.
On Feb. 16, AP News reported that Trump was ordered by
a New York judge to pay $355 million in penalties. This was in response to a finding that the former president had not been truthful about his wealth.
On March 4, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that states are not allowed to exempt presidential candidates from the ballot. This overturned the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to keep Trump off the Republican primary ballot.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley suspended her Republican candidacy on March 6.
Democratic Representative Dean Phillips ended his campaign the same day.
On May 30, Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Specifically, regarding “hush money” payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump became the first former U.S president to be convicted of felonies, according to AP
News.
Biden’s performance in a debate with Trump on June 27 raised concerns about the president’s age and cognitive abilities.
The beginning of July saw the Supreme Court’s decision to grant absolute immunity to former presidents for “official acts.”
Trump received minor injuries after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally on July 13. Two attendees were injured and one was killed. The suspect was fatally wounded by
the Secret Service.
Two days later, Trump chose Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate.
On July 21, Biden withdrew his candidacy for a second-term as President of the United States and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
In August, Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was officially nominated by the Democratic Party to be the party’s candidates for President and Vice President of the U.S.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. withdrew from his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump on Aug. 23. Presidential nominees Harris and Trump participated in the first — likely only — debate between the two candidates on Sept. 10.
A second assassination attempt on Trump took place at Trump International Golf Club on Sept. 15. The suspect was caught lying in nearby bushes by the Secret Service before any shots were fired.
On Oct. 1, vice-presidential nominees Walz and Vance participated in a debate in New York City.
The 2024 election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will come to a close on Nov. 5; however, early voting is underway in many states, including Alaska.
Students, you can vote on campus!
A polling place will be available on Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Student Union for students to cast their votes.
By Kyle Ivacic and Hannah Dillon
The Northern Light spoke with students on campus about voting and an available polling place that will be in the Student Union on Nov. 5.
Caiden Davis, an education major, has decided to vote at a polling booth off campus but showed interest in polling booth availability for students at UAA.
Lucas Rogers, an air traffic control major, plans to vote on Nov. 5. He was unaware of the polling area in the Student
Union but still plans to go to the polls with family in the Anchorage area.
Marissa Manley is working toward her associate’s degree in applied science. Manley knew of a few polling areas in the Anchorage and Mat-su areas but considered voting at the polling station in the Student Union.
William Benes is currently undecided in his major. Benes does not plan to vote in the upcoming election but found the UAA provided polling area to be interesting for students who do plan to vote. Emma, an early education
major, is from Texas. Emma attempted to register to vote with an absentee ballot from her home state but found she missed the deadline when she learned she had to register in-person rather than applying online for Texas ballots. She expressed her disappointment for missing her opportunity to vote in the 2024 election.
Finally, UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell said he absolutely plans to vote and that “we’ve worked hard with the state to maintain this place as a voting institute.”
This led to Trump becoming the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee.
GRAPHIC BY EDLEEN GUIAO.
TNL’s mascot, Aurora the Owl, voted! So should you!
PHOTO CREDIT TO ABC NEWS.
ABC News Presidential Debate.
Presidential candidate profile: Donald Trump
By Hannah Dillon associate.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Donald Trump is the former president of the U.S. and Republican Party nominee for the upcoming 2024 election. He was the 45th president and his administration lasted from 2016 to 2020. He is once again seeking a second term.
Trump’s campaign slogan is “Make America Great Again” and 2024 is the third consecutive election year that he has been a presidential Republican nominee.
Trump chose Republican Ohio senator JD Vance as his running-mate on July 15.
The top five core promises listed on Trump’s 2024 GOP platform include closing the U.S.
border, initiating the “largest deportation operation in American history,” ending inflation, becoming a dominant energy producer and turning America into a “manufacturing superpower.”
Trump enrolled into the New York Military Academy at age 13. He began college in 1964 and graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
For approximately 40 years, Trump was President of The Trump Organization.
Trump has made multiple cameo appearances in a variety of films. He also created a reality show called “The Apprentice, which he hosted for 14 seasons.
Trump was born in 1946 and is now 78 years old. He was raised in New York City.
Controversies surrounding Trump include a guilty verdict of 34 counts of falsifying business records on May 30. Specifically, this was in regard to “hush money” payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump is also facing three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction after the events that took place on Jan. 6, 2021.
Miss USA pageant contestants have reported sexual misconduct allegations against Trump. Trump owned the Miss USA pageant from 1996 to 2015.
Trump became the first former U.S president to be convicted of felonies, according to AP News.
Presidential candidate profile: Kamala Harris
By Hannah Dillon associate.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Kamala Harris has served as vice president of the U.S. since the beginning of the Biden administration’s term in 2020. Harris was endorsed by President Biden after he withdrew his candidacy on July 21.
In August, Harris and her running-mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was officially nominated by the Democratic Party to be the party’s candidates for president and vice president of the U.S.
Harris’s campaign and past speeches have emphasized protection of abortion rights, lowering pharmaceutical costs and providing economic relief.
Economic relief includes bigger tax deductions for lower-income families and reducing the
costs of housing, groceries and prescription medication.
Harris supports Biden in his efforts to initiate student loan forgiveness for “tens of millions of borrowers,” but has not yet provided details on how she would implement the plan.
Harris has had a variety of careers that led her to become the first female vice president of the U.S. She attended Howard University and graduated in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Harris attended University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She was put on the California Bar in 1990.
Her career began as a district attorney. She was later appointed attorney general of California and in 2016 won a seat as senator for California.
Harris was born in 1964 and is now 60 years old. She is the first woman, first African American and first Asian American to serve as vice president of the U.S.
Harris campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019 but withdrew from the race that same year before primary elections.
Controversies in Harris’ past include her ideas on policies that she has since contradicted. Harris responded to this controversy in an interview with CNN, where she explained her changes in policy regarding fracking and immigration.
On Oct. 22, conservative activist Chrsitopher Rufo accused Harris of plagiarism both in the past and in her more recent speeches.
Alaska residents who are eligible to vote, but have not yet registered, may do so in-person at official polling locations on election day to cast their ballot for president. To check your voter registration status, visit https://myvoterportal. alaska.gov/.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Official portrait of Kamala Harris.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
OF CONGRESS. Official portrait of Donald Trump.
U.S. House candidate profile: Nick Begich
By Kyle Ivacic managing.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Nick Begich is running for Alaska’s U.S. House of Representatives seat. Begich, a registered Republican, is challenging Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola. This is the third time Begich will appear on Alaskans’ ballots. He ran for the seat in 2022 in the special and general elections.
His political experience includes working as co-chair of Alaskans for Don Young, cochair of the Alaska Republican Party Finance Committee and board president of the Alaska Policy Forum.
According to his official candidate statement — which can be found at https://www.elections.alaska.gov/candidates/ — Begich opposes “national policies that have fueled inflation and allowed mass illegal migration” and that his campaign rests on “three core pillars” of “economic growth, responsible resource development and protecting our way of life.”
Begich is a supporter of the 2nd Amendment and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Begich’s campaign website stated that, “The Second Amendment ensures one of the most critical freedoms for Americans: the right to keep and bear arms.”
Most of Begich’s career has been spent in the business sector at companies including the Matanuska Telecom Association and Ford. Begich also founded the software development company FarShore Partners — a provider of IT and digital marketing services — as well as consulting firm Dashfire, which provides software and financial advice to technology-based startups.
Begich continues to receive criticism from opponents for comments he made about Social Security on the “The Michael Dukes Show” in 2023.
“That trust fund (Social Security) has been invested in government debt from the get-go, and it’s a Ponzi scheme, and it’s used to prop the system up,” said
Begich.
Begich also faced criticism in 2022, prior to Don Young’s death when he announced he would be running against the Republican congressman. Begich had worked for Young shortly before the announcement was made and some staff in Young’s office saw the move as deceitful and disloyal.
As a result, several friends and staff members of Young decided to support Mary Peltola in the 2022 elections, even writing an op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News explaining their support for the Democrat.
Begich defended his decision to run in the election.
“The entire reason I was in the D.C. office was to make sure I understood more about the job itself before I decided whether to file. Don Young understood this, and though highly unusual, recognized how seriously I was taking this decision,” said Begich in a statement to E&E news.
Begich is 47 years old and has lived in Alaska for most of his life.
U.S. House candidate profile: Mary Peltola
By Kyle Ivacic managing.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Mary Peltola is Alaska’s current representative in the U.S. House. She has held the position since August 2022, when a special election was held to fill the seat after Don Young passed away. Peltola won the seat again in the November general election that same year.
Peltola is facing new challengers as the incumbent’s first term comes to an end. Alaskans will decide whether to keep her in the position, or to opt for someone else.
According to her official candidate statement — which can be found at https://www.elections.alaska.gov/candidates/ — Peltola is “Pro-Fish, Pro-Jobs, Pro-Choice and Pro-Family.”
Peltola — a registered Democrat — has campaigned and worked on a largely bipartisan platform.
She has supported legislation regarding the protection of abortion and contraceptive access,
investing in rural infrastructure and investing in renewable energy.
Peltola is credited with having been a major factor in the Biden administration’s decision to reapprove the Willow Project. ConocoPhillips claims that the project will “create over 2,500 construction jobs and approximately 300 long-term jobs.”
Peltola also supports Americans’ Second Amendment rights and has stated, “As the owner of 176 long guns, I dare someone to tread on Alaskan freedoms.”
Peltola has worked to advance the interests of Alaska Native communities through legislation that supports economic development, healthcare initiatives and visibility of Alaska Natives.
For example, Peltola sponsored the Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Act, which would have provided economic assistance to rural Alaskan communities if it was enacted.
Peltola’s political career began in Juneau as a representative for Bethel in the state legislature
— a position in which she spent ten years.
After serving in the state legislature, Peltola worked as Manager of Community Development and Sustainability for the Donlin Gold Project and as
Executive Director of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission.
She also served on the Orutsararmiut Native Council Tribal Court and the Bethel City Council, as well as the boards of the
Nature Conservancy, the Alaska Humanities Forum, the Alaska Children’s Trust and the Russian Orthodox Sacred Sites in Alaska.
Peltola is 51 years old and has lived in Alaska her entire life.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S. HOUSE.
Representative Mary Peltola.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BALLOTPEDIA. Nick Begich.
GRAPHIC BY EDLEEN GUIAO.
FEATURES
Video: Homecoming dance returns for the first time since COVID-19
By Anja Burnett video1@thenorthernlight.org
UAA’s Homecoming week was filled with fun activities surrounding UAA pride and ended on Friday, October 11th, with a homecoming dance at the Alaska Airlines Center. This was the first homecoming dance since COVID-19 in 2020, selling 336 tickets. DJ On Da Go DJ’ed the event and played hits from the 2000s to today. Attendees were up and dancing for most of the night, taking full advantage of all the dance had to offer.
Photos: UAA’s glamorous homecoming dance
By Sarah Bennett photo1@thenorthernlight.org
“A Glamorous Affair with Green and Gold” was this year’s University of Alaska Anchorage homecoming dance theme. Students and their guests enjoyed a night of music and dancing in the Alaska Airlines Center Auxiliary Gym on Oct. 11.
Hosted by UAA Student Life and Leadership, music was provided by ONDAGO DJ. Refreshments included cookies, fruit and canapés offered for those attending the event. Tickets for students were $10, and non-student tickets were $20. Formal attire was encouraged but not required.
SPORTS
Photos: UAA wins opening game against Warner Pacific
By Justin Cox photo2@thenorthernlight.org
The Seawolves men’s basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a home win, 80-55, at the Alaska Airlines Center in a game against the Warner Pacific University Knights on Oct. 25. While this matchup and the follow up on Saturday Oct. 26, will count toward UAA’s NCAA seasonal record, it is only an exhibition matchup for the Knights who are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics — shortened to NAIA. UAA and WPU have only faced off once before, when UAA was part of the NAIA nearly 50 years ago.
PHOTO BY ANJA BURNETT.
Attendees take a break while others continue to dance.
PHOTO BY SARAH BENNETT. A couple dances together.
PHOTO BY SARAH BENNETT.
Photo booth set up for homecoming participants.
PHOTO BY SARAH BENNETT.
A crowd dancing in the center of the lights.
PHOTO BY SARAH BENNETT.
Attendees throw their hands up when Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA comes on.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN COX.
Tosi grabs the rim after his slam dunk.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN COX.
Hasaan Herrington shoots a layup.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN COX.
UAA players and coaching staff strategize during a timeout.
&
AE
Upcoming events
UAA event list for Wednesday, Oct. 30, to Tuesday, Nov. 5
By Kyle Ivacic managing.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Events happening throughout the week:
ATY Presents Shrek Jr.
The Alaska Theatre of Youth is putting on the play “Shrek: The Musical, Jr.” Student tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
Fine Arts Building, Room 220
Friday, Nov. 1, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 3-2 p.m., 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3, 3-2 p.m.
MST Presents Moriarty
Midnight Sun Theatre is putting on the play “Moriarty.” Student tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.
Fine Arts Building, Room 129
Friday, Nov. 1, 7-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 7-9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3, 3-5:30 p.m.
TBA Theatre Presents Hallowed Training Better Arts Theatre is putting on the play “Hallowed.” Student tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
Alaska Pacific University, Grant Hall
Thursday, Oct. 31, 8-9:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 7-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Thrills, Chills and Wellness
Skills
Health Sciences students will be hosting a Halloween themed educational event with various tables with games, trivia and mocktails available.
Student Union 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Navigating USA Jobs & Intro to Bureau of Land Management
UAA Career Services and the Bureau of Land Management will be doing a presentation on how to use USA Jobs — the official federal job search platform — followed by a presentation on jobs and internships available at the Bureau of Land Management.
UAA Consortium Library, Room 307 1-2 p.m.
Pumpkin Carving UAA Student Activities is hosting pumpkin carving. Students are allowed to bring their own pumpkins, but pumpkins will also be available at the event.
Student Union, Den 7-8 p.m.
Caribou and the Arctic on Uncertain Ground
Join UAA Environment and Natural Resources Institute Director Paddy Sullivan and author/photographer Seth Kantner for a lecture about declining caribou populations in Alaska. The lecture is part of the UAA College of Arts and Sciences Community Lecture Series. Tickets start at $24. Fine Arts Building, Room 150 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 31
UAA Seawolves Volleyball vs. Seattle Pacific Support UAA’s volleyball team at this game on campus! Alaska Airlines Center 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1
Final Deadline to Submit a SAP Appeal for Fall 2024 Students who wish to submit a satisfactory academic progress appeal to receive financial aid for the fall semester must do so by this date. The SAP appeal process can be found at http:// www.uaa.alaska.edu.
Fall Withdrawal Deadline Students who wish to withdraw
from a fall semester class must do so by this date.
5 p.m. — Deadline for in-person withdrawals 11:59 p.m. — Deadline for online withdrawals through UA Online
Saturday, Nov. 2
STEM Day
According to the event description, “STEM Day is an interactive event hosted at UAA to promote exciting careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building, Atrium 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
United States General Election Cast your vote for president, as well as for various Alaska ballot measures and Alaska’s U.S. House seat.
Polling place available at the UAA Student Union.
7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Presidential Election Watch Party The UAA Department of Political Science is putting on a presidential election watch party with snacks and pizza available. Social Sciences Building, Room 213 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Gamer Recognizes Game: ‘Rocket League’
How can you make soccer more fun? Add flying cars.
By Scott Hobbs columnist1@thenorthernlight.org
It’s June 10, 2018. I just woke up, made my way upstairs, and started to enjoy some breakfast when I figured I’d watch something on YouTube while I ate. I happened upon a livestream of the “Rocket League Championship Series.” In a weird twist of fate, I bore witness to the most iconic moment in the history of the game — jstn.’s zero-second goal.
In my hundreds of hours playing “Rocket League,” I have come to the conclusion that it is equal parts fun and frustrating. It’s a simple, five-minute game of soccer, but played with flying cars. Score more goals than the opponent and you win; score less and you lose. No game makes me want to put a hole through my monitor more often, and yet I can’t stop playing it — so I’m here to tell you why you should play it too.
There are many different game modes, with the standard 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 for both casual and competitive players, as well as some other unique modes including “Rumble” — which throws powerups into the mix of the standard game — “Dropshot,” where you break the floor with the ball to score, and “Hoops” being an alternate take on basketball.
“Rocket League” is available on all major consoles as well as PC. Right now, I play on PC, because I got tired of trying to play the game on Switch. I haven’t tried the game on the PS5 or the Xbox Series X, but I’ve heard it isn’t too far off compared to the experience on PC. It is also free-to-play across consoles, a shift that was made in September 2020 over a year after Epic Games acquired Psyonix
— the developers of Rocket League.
That really is the elephant in the room for this game: There is a perception that the game has become worse since Epic Games acquired Psyonix.
Personally, I don’t think “Rocket League” has become any worse since this purchase. I would instead argue that there simply hasn’t been any major changes to the game, but there haven’t been any reductions to the core of it either.
And the reason Epic Games hasn’t had to change anything is because this wasn’t Psyonix’s first rodeo making a car ball soccer game.
All the way back in the ancient times of 2008, a game with the very short title of “Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket Powered Battle Cars” — SARPBC for short — was released on the Playstation 3. Few people played it, but Psyonix were confident they had a great game on their hands. So they went back to the drawing board,
worked out some of the clunkier aspects of the aerial mechanics and gameplay in general, and shortened the name to boot.
That’s the reason the modern version of “Rocket League” is so solid. The game is responsive, fluid, and once you get your bearings and learn how to move on the ground and in the air, the pitch is your oyster.
That’s also what makes it so rage-inducing. The skill ceiling in the game is limitless, and with every passing day, pros push it higher and higher. While jstn.’s zero-second goal was a huge accomplishment at the time, since the skill level of players has increased so much over the last few years, this type of shot is a more common occurrence these days. The stakes are what made the shot impressive, but the speed and mechanics of modern professional players make that shot look simple in comparison.
If you haven’t played “Rocket League”
before, you’re probably confused as to what I mean by a “zero-second goal.” Since “Rocket League” is a three-dimensional game of soccer, the ball will either be on the ground or in the air. Each game runs with a five-minute time limit, pausing for goals, and if you’re tied at the end of the game, you’ll be sent to overtime. However, when the clock hits zero seconds, the game doesn’t end until the ball touches the ground.
This leads to every “last second” of the game stretching out as you and your team are either scrambling to put a last-second goal away to send the game to overtime or attempting to force the ball to the ground to end the game. It adds immense depth and makes for unreal moments — whether it’s you and your friends clutching a game, or watching pros pull off an upset on the big stage.
“Rocket League” is extremely fun and entices the player to play again and again with its short match length of five minutes. But similar to needing a calculator to add 2+2 as you get to advanced math, you will make more simple mistakes the higher rank you get, and it can become incredibly frustrating.
However, it’s also a blast to play with friends or to mess around and not play competitively, and I think that’s something to be appreciated.
No matter how often I tell myself I won’t get back into “Rocket League,” I always do. It’s fun, free and easy to get into without investing a large amount of time. I think everyone should at least give it a shot so that they can experience the magic that is flying cars playing sports. However, if you get more into the game competitively, don’t say I didn’t warn you about wanting to put a hole through your monitor.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EPIC GAMES.
A high octane take on a clasic sport, Rocket League is a must play!
Photos: Winners of TNL 36th Anniversary Photo Contest
By Matthew Schmitz editor@thenorthernlight.org
The Northern Light just celebrated its 36th Anniversary, and as a part of the celebration, we hosted a photo contest. Winners received a pair of Apple AirPods, and their photos were published in this edition of The Northern Light and online.
There were three categories and a winner was chosen from each by the TNL staff. Only current UAA students were qualified to enter the contest.
Election and government facts
CROSSWORD BY LINNAEA GOSSARD AND KYLE IVACIC.
GRAPHIC BY EDLEEN GUIAO. I’ll be haunting your nightmares.
PHOTO BY SIERA CHADWICK.
Best photo of a printed copy of The Northern Light in nature.
PHOTO BY CHARLENE PUGAY.
Best photo of a printed copy of The Northern Light with a group of people on the UAA campus.
PHOTO BY ANATOLI BOIKO.
Best photo of a printed copy of The Northern Light with a pet.
UAA and TNL factsanswer key (last edition) Election and government facts - answer key
CORRECTIONS
Last issue, The Northern Light incorrectly stated in “Sound and sociology: Hip-hop feminism and rap’s ‘patriarchy problem’ — Part I” that Snoop Dogg had an interview with Complex, when in actuality the interview was with Central Ave, but mentioned in an article written by Complex.
STAFF CONTACTS
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Managing Editor Kyle Ivacic managing.editor@thenorthernlight.org
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Raye M. White multimedia.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Layout and Web Editor
Linnaea Gossard layout@thenorthernlight.org
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Copy Editor
Murat Demir copy.editor@thenorthernlight.org
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Columnist Scott Hobbs columnist1@thenorthernlight.org
Columnist Nahla White columnist2@thenorthernlight.org
Multimedia Journalist
Vadim Bledsoe video2@thenorthernlight.org
Multimedia Journalist
Anja Burnett video1@thenorthernlight.org
Photographer Sarah Bennett photo1@thenorthernlight.org
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Cartoonist Alex Luangasa cartoons@thenorthernlight.org
Graphic Designer Edleen Guiao graphics@thenorthernlight.org
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The Northern Light is hiring! See our job listings at careers.alaska.edu.
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The Northern Light is a proud member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The Northern Light is a bi-weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 1,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.
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The University of Alaska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. The University of Alaska does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, or other legally protected status. The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination, including against sex discrimination, applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. Contact information, applicable laws, and complaint procedures are included on UA’s statement of nondiscrimination available at www.alaska. edu/nondiscrimination.
LETTERS AND CORRECTIONS POLICY
The Northern Light encourages readers to express their views in the newspaper. The Northern Light reserves the right to reject or publish any submission, online or in print.
Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length for a letter to the editor is 300 words, and 150 words for letters specifically endorsing candidates for federal, local, or university office. A letter to the editor is written by someone who does not have authoritative knowledge on the subject they are discussing. Contributors are restricted to one published letter to the editor per month.
Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length for a contributor’s opinion piece is 500 words. Contributors are restricted to one published opinion piece per month. Opinion pieces written by staff of The Northern Light are limited to 1,000 words. An opinion piece that is published in The Northern Light should be written by someone who has authoritative knowledge on the subject they are discussing.
Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity. All letters and opinion pieces must include names, major and/or group affiliation and contact information for verification purposes. The Northern Light will not publish anonymous letters or pseudonyms. Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight.org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space. All corrections are posted online with the original story at www. thenorthernlight.org. The deadline for submissions is the Friday before publication at noon, no exceptions.
The Northern Light newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union Room 113.
OPINION
Right Answers Only: The two-party system is perfect
Satire. This week’s topic: the two-party system.
By Scott Hobbs columnist1@thenorthernlight.org
In “Federalist Paper No. 10”, James Madison details the harmful nature of factions in democratic republics. He asserts that when majority factions hold power, undesirable policies are easily passed by the government. To avoid this, there needs to be many smaller factions that believe in different policies and ideals.
And within 100 years of its founding, the United States had successfully narrowed its politics to a two-party system.
You hear it every day on the news: America is polarized, single-issue voters are a plague on elections, and party loyalty is prioritized above everything. But this is a good thing, and James Madison was wrong.
Why would undesirable policies running America be a bad thing? They aren’t — the twoparty system is perfect, and both presidential candidates have great ideas.
On the left, we have current Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. A controversial pick, Harris secured the nomination when the left concluded their party couldn’t have a known dementia patient serve two terms — a fact that former President Reagan couldn’t recall.
On the right, former President Donald Trump was selected for his third straight nomination as the Republican nominee. Trump secured this nomination despite being a convicted felon in large part for how easily he can incite riots when he’s being a sore loser.
While many of their policies differ, the two candidates share a few common positions. One is their stance on Israel. Both candidates are firm in not hanging one of the United States’ closest allies out to dry, and as such are major advocates of Israel’s right to defend itself.
Honestly, this kind of “commitment to the bit” by both candidates is admirable. Instead of allowing an ally into which
America has funneled hundreds of billions of dollars to fold like an omelet, they stand strong, encouraging Israel to scramble their opponents.
Another policy the two share opinions on, is ending taxation on tips. This policy is one they share because both candidates needed a policy that appealed to their working-class constituents and this one loses the government the least amount of money if implemented.
If you ignore the Tax Foundation’s analysis that tipping is specialized within the workforce and that an increase to the standard deduction would benefit 100% of Americans, it’s a great policy with absolutely zero downsides. Credit goes to Trump for proposing it first, triggering the knee-jerk impulse from Harris to one-up her opponent by promoting the same garbage policy.
Now let’s cover some key policy areas where the two differ, so single-issue voters have something to read. Similar to the presidential debate, this will alternate between candidates based on their strengths and will feature zero fact-checks.
Energy: Trump is aiming for a return to form if elected, opening up all land to be drilled for oil and other extraction resources. This will be coupled with the Heritage Foundation dismantling the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to ensure no climate misinformation gets out. As someone who is tired of other countries controlling energy production, I want all fossil fuels out of the ground and in the hands of American consumers as fast as possible.
Housing: Harris is proposing to give everyone money to buy houses. Full stop. At the time of writing, there is no information on how she will determine who gets money — other than the qualifier of being a first-time home buyer — but it will likely involve some sort of DEI qualifier. So get ready to take a DNA test so you can hopefully maximize the payout, or wear a pride flag like a cape in public so the left know you’re one of them.
Labor: Trump plans to stop outsourcing labor to China once they’re done making his Bibles and return industry to America for real this time. Just like during his first term in office, he is going to be tough on China — not relying on them to strengthen the economy — and focus on cutting off all trade with the world so jobs stay in America, where they belong.
Taxes: Harris is going to fix America’s debt crisis by making the 1% pay 100%. She will lower taxes for middle and lower-income individuals while championing aggressive taxes on the elites of America. While this kind of tax system may or may not apply to those who are financially backing her campaign, horrible billionaires who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are finally going to pay up and not loophole their way out of supporting our great nation financially.
Border Security: Trump built the “strongest wall ever,” and while Mexico didn’t pay for it then, Trump is going to make South America pay now. He will wipe the slate clean by deporting all undocumented aliens back across the border and starting a new merit-based immigration system for migrants to enter America. In other news, merit has allegedly been found to be higher in people with less melanin.
Health care: Harris wants to lower premiums and make health care affordable while also canceling billions of dollars in outstanding medical debt. This can only work one of two ways: Either everyone gives up 100% of their paychecks to the government to afford this kind of frivolous spending, or we outsource our medical system to India so it costs less. Either way, this kind of flippant policy will have longlasting repercussions on the health care industry in America.
Crime: Trump is just as distraught as you are at the current state of violent crime in America. This isn’t the result of distrust in the police system or decades of oppression, and as such
Trump’s solution is to send the National Guard into high crime communities to forcibly put down violent crime. This will definitely work and not cause more violent crime, because peace is never the answer.
Small Businesses: Harris knows how rewarding it is to work for yourself, and she is a proud supporter of small businesses. As part of her Opportunity Economy plan, she is working to give out a tax deduction of up to $50,000 for new businesses. While not yet confirmed, this may come with the caveat that small businesses cannot sell products known to cause cancer in the state of California.
Military: Trump knows from his time in the military — avoiding the draft five times — that never-ending wars are awful. That is why he will not intervene in any conflicts that his friends in Russia and North Korea are involved in, only ones that those nasty people from the Middle East are causing. He is also going to install a system in America similar to the Iron Dome, as a result of him only getting “dome” from Stormy Daniels in the last 40 years.
Expanding the Middle Class: Harris’ largest talking point is the goal of fixing America through giving everyone a path
to the middle class via education and tax breaks that will ultimately lead to more people making more money in the long term. This kind of “spreading the wealth” is a slippery slope to socialism that cannot be tolerated in America. The rich need to stay rich and the poor need to stay poor — just like the Founding Fathers intended.
Rights: Trump is not a big fan of most rights that are guaranteed to Americans. He tried to alter or undo many of them during his first term in office, and this second term looks to be no different. And while losing many fundamental rights and freedoms as a result of a Trump presidency would suck, at least he’d probably still leave the most awesome two rights: the right to bear arms and the end of prohibition.
As you can tell from the many policies the two differ on, both candidates are outspoken and full of good ideas for the American people. The polarized nature of the opinions is largely a result of the two-party system, leaving no room for more opinions than the prevalent two in politics. The middle is dead, and we killed it. If you somehow aren’t polarized, get with the program and pick a side like the rest of us.
GRAPHIC BY EDLEEN GUIAO. It’s a good thing there’s only two parties --- there’s no room for a third candidate on this hat!
Late to the Party 2
What’s up with the Student Union?
By Tanner Croft columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Thanks to everyone who sent me hate mail for the last “Late to the Party” article. This one’s for you. It seems like I may not even need to finish this series because of how much social life on campus has improved. But alas, I started a job, and now I must finish it.
I am aware that this series may seem overly critical of UAA. That is not the point of the series. I am not going out of my way to aimlessly throw shade at the university, in fact my only mission is to make this a better experience for the students.
I am not disregarding the hard work that people and groups put in to make this an enjoyable time for the students; I am simply making suggestions on how we can make it even better.
Although some people apparently took offense to the original “Late to the Party” article, the majority of those who responded enjoyed it and felt it was accurate. These readers then took it upon themselves to begin repairing the social environment on campus, and let me just say, I am damn proud.
But for those of you who did not enjoy it, do not read this one.
If you are looking to get offended, just stop reading right now; we do not need that negativity. I understand that the standard college experience may not be up your alley, so if that is the case, maybe check out the article titled “Right Answers Only: Partying is a detestable sin” by Scott Hobbs — you may find the points being made within that column to be less offensive.
This version of “Late to the Party” will address the Student Union — SU for short — and the complaints about it that I have heard from students on campus.
Of course, I am not just going to be pointing out the negatives — I will also be providing insight on how we might potentially improve the situation.
The first complaint I have heard is that some students wish the SU was closer to on campus housing — or even that it was just closer to the library.
Now, it is impossible to move the SU, so this is a complaint that doesn’t really have any solution. What we can do however, is improve the quality of life at the SU.
Right now, the SU is mainly occupied by office space. How can we really call it a Student Union when the majority of the area is taken up by faculty?
However, not all of the events
or spaces in the SU are completely taken away from the students. We do have Subway, the Common Grounds coffee stand, the Seawolf Marketplace, Esports Lounge, the Pride Center and a few other organizations which all benefit the students.
Other than the few people who actively use these services, how many students are actually hanging out in the SU? How are we supposed to encourage people to spend time on campus when the majority of them just order their Subway, eat it at one of the tables and then leave?
We, as students who pay to be provided with a college experience, should have a location other than the library where it is fun to hang out and where you can spend time socializing. We should have comfortable seating like real couches, there should be TVs playing sports highlights from our school teams, our mascot should be running through the SU handing out high fives, photos and T-shirts.
All of these things would make more sense if students actually spent time hanging out in the SU. That is why it would make sense for there to be pool tables, ping pong tables, a dartboard, cornhole, maybe even an arcade cabinet — anything to get students to spend time in the
SU.
This is our space to utilize, but if the student body does not show appreciation for it, the school will not consider upgrading it as a valuable investment.. I am sure that many people would agree that we should have a few more restaurants in the SU, but that won’t be a possibility if no one ever visits the area.
I am a big fan of the idea that we need to bring the pub back to the SU. It hasn’t been here in decades, and I think the students deserve a safe space to drink and socialize responsibly on campus. Yes, we have Varsity Sports Grill, but it is rarely open for home games — let alone away games — and most students are not even aware of its existence because it is in the Alaska Airlines Center, tucked away on the fourth floor. A pub would be a
great addition to the SU because it would entice students to spend time getting to know their classmates and even professors outside of the class setting, which can improve education in all areas of life.
The university needs to take steps toward making the SU more inviting. Give us a reason to spend time there rather than in our own apartments. Offer entertainment and social life so that we want to spend time there. Our SU does not feel like a “Student” Union, and because of that, students are not likely to want to spend time here. While every other college in the country — including our counterpart up in Fairbanks — have figured out that the Student Union is for the STUDENTS, it once again seems like UAA is late to the party.
Lore Accurate Humans: Theodore Roosevelt
New history column covering the real lives of people throughout history. This week’s subject: Theodore Roosevelt
By Scott Hobbs columnist1@thenorthernlight.org
Have you ever found yourself looking at a mountain in South Dakota? I haven’t seen this particular mountain in person, but on it, there are four former presidents of the United States. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were champions of democracy and key to raising the union from infancy, Abraham Lincoln put an end to slavery in America, and then there’s Theodore Roosevelt.
Born in 1858, Roosevelt was a sickly child who suffered from asthma. Doctors were quick to recommend the young boy lead a sedentary lifestyle to avoid further health complications, but Teddy had other plans. At age 7, he was given the head of a dead seal at a market, sparking a lifelong interest in animals and taxidermy. He established the Roosevelt Museum of Natural History with his cousins, and aimed to fill his room with anything he could catch or kill.
At age 9, he discovered on a family hike in the Swiss Alps that overexerting himself physically actually aided in minimizing his asthma. This discovery led him into boxing and rowing, among other physical activities, as he approached adulthood.
Roosevelt attended Harvard University, where he displayed, what many would consider, a near-photographic or truly photographic memory in his pursuit of a natural sciences degree. He would participate in many ac-
tivities and clubs on campus, graduating magna cum laude from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts. Roosevelt would then pivot to studying law at Columbia Law School before deciding that law was irrational and he should pivot to a more rational field — politics.
From 1882 to 1896, Roosevelt occupied local office in the New York State Legislature and later became the president of the New York City Police Commissioners, taking a hiatus in between to retire to his ranch. The reason he came out of retirement? Nature. A gruesome winter in 1886 killed Roosevelt’s whole herd, forcing him to return to the political battlefield he thought he had managed to leave behind.
In 1896, Roosevelt helped William McKinley campaign for President, leading McKinley to appoint Roosevelt as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy when he won office. At the time, the Secretary of the Navy was struggling with health concerns, essentially making Roosevelt the Secretary of the Navy. He began bolstering the naval forces of the United States, building battleships and pushing McKinley to forcibly remove Spain from Cuba. But even when the U.S.S. Maine exploded, McKinley was still hesitant to go to war. Roosevelt instructed many naval vessels to prepare for combat, resulting in the Navy being ready when McKinley and Congress officially declared war on Spain.
You would think that Roosevelt would stay in his office, but
instead, he resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, formed the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment — nicknamed the Rough Riders — and rode through Cuba, leading charge after charge against Spanish forces until their victory at the Battle of San Juan Heights.
Recognized throughout the United States as a hero for his military successes, Roosevelt was propped up by Thomas Platt upon his return to New York to run for governor. Platt wasn’t actually a fan of Roosevelt, but needed a strong Republican candidate to win office. Escaping with a narrow victory, the office of Governor is largely what shaped Roosevelt’s time as President of the U.S., where he continued his anti-corruption focus.
Roosevelt was thrust into the vice-presidency when the sitting vice president died, and then became president when William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. His two terms in office consisted of prosecuting bad trusts throughout America, building the Panama Canal and facilitating the peaceful end of the Russo-Japanese War — for which he would be given a Nobel Peace Prize. He is also credited for his work on conservation within America through the creation of national parks.
Rather than running for a third term, Roosevelt promptly left America following his time in office for Africa, where he, and a group of explorers sponsored by the Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History would kill or
trap over 11,400 animals to be brought back overseas. He then toured across Europe, returning to America only to be disappointed by the Taft administration that he had propped up.
So he created the Progressive Party and campaigned for another term as president, where at one point he would be shot while giving a speech. The bullet was slowed enough by his eyeglass case and the 50-page copy of his speech that it didn’t kill him. He would then resist going to the hospital so he could finish delivering his 90-minute speech to the crowd as blood seeped into his shirt.
After losing the election, Roosevelt led an expedition to the Amazon basin where he would nearly die from a disease
he contracted. He then attempted to be sent to the front lines of World War I, but was denied by then-President Woodrow Wilson. In the same conflict, his youngest son would be shot down behind enemy lines, a loss Roosevelt would never recover from.
Roosevelt’s health declined until he passed away in his sleep due to a blood clot in 1919. Vice President Thomas Marshall was quoted as saying “Death had to take Roosevelt sleeping, for if he had been awake, there would have been a fight.” And that quote sums up Roosevelt’s life: a stubborn fighter who took on anyone in his way.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.
A man of many backgrounds --- hunting chief among them --- Theodore Roosevelt led an absolutely legendary life.
PHOTO BY TANNER CROFT.
A photo of the Student Union.
NFL power rankings: Week 8
New football column: weekly rankings of NFL teams.
By Scott Hobbs columnist1@thenorthernlight.org
Sports are funny. It feels like teams with the best records constantly collapse in the face of teams with worse records. This isn’t always the case, especially in sports such as basketball and baseball, where the seasons are so long that typically the bad teams fall to the bottom and the good teams rise to the top. But in the NFL, there’s only 17 games in a season, and it is much more difficult to determine which teams are better or worse — especially during the regular season.
That’s where this column comes in.
As someone who watches an unhealthy amount of football — and has strong opinions — I am perfectly qualified to give my opinion on who I think the top teams are in the NFL on a week-to-week basis. Each week, I will cover what nine teams are — in my opinion — the best teams in the league.
You may be thinking to yourself, nine is an odd number to pick for a thirty-two team league, is this guy unqualified to write about sports? While the answer is yes, I have a good reason, which will be explained with the first ranking.
0. The Kansas City Chiefs
This column will always feature the Kansas City Chiefs at rank 0. The NFL is currently rigged so that the Chiefs will win it all, and as such I refuse to have them take up a spot on the list of best teams in the league. They aren’t one of the best teams in the league, they just get constantly bailed out by the refs. That is my stance unless by some miracle they don’t win a Superbowl, God help us all if they three-peat this year.
8. The Washington Commanders
This is a tough one. The Commanders have so far outperformed expectations, but as of now, the engine of their offense — rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels — is out with a rib injury. I think the team can still get it done in the short-term, but I have concerns for their long-term success as a team if Daniels is out for the season.
7. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Similar to the Commanders, the Buccaneers are currently struggling with star players catching the injury bug. As of right now, Mike Evans is out until at least
Week 12 and Chris Godwin is likely out for the season. The team is still incredibly solid despite missing these essential receivers, but if they have more players fall to injury before their bye week in Week 11, their season will be dead in the water.
6. The Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are a confusing team. No one expected them to be good, let alone 5-1, but they also feel like a team that’s barely holding it together. It reminds me of the 2022 Minnesota Vikings that went 10-0 during the regular season in onescore games, but ended up losing in the playoffs in a one-score game. This season they’re 3-1 in one-score games, and have a manageable schedule ahead — but I’m split on whether this team is going to have sustained success or fall apart by the end of the season.
5. The Houston Texans
The Texans are one of the few good teams in the American Football Conference. Despite a tough loss to the Packers last week, they seem to have what it takes to put together a run through the regular and postseason for the Superbowl. Considering they pushed a strong Packers team to nearly lose while without star receiver Nico Collins, the Texans have it in them to win, even while missing major contributors on offense.
4. The Buffalo Bills
Out of the two teams that made splashy trades for star receivers last week, the Bills are so far the only ones seeing a payoff. Amari Cooper looked right at home in a revitalized Bills offense, Josh Allen still hasn’t thrown an interception this year and the defense has played solid ball despite, yet again, missing many of their important defensive players. Since they show no signs of slowing down, this year’s Bills team seems dead set on ending their franchise’s playoff curse.
3. The Green Bay Packers
I saw a sports analyst comment on how it seems Jordan Love has Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre on his shoulders, with the former telling Love to throw beautiful passes to open receivers and the latter telling him to fire off another head-scratching interception. The team’s season will come down to which voice he listens to more, but right now the Packers look tough to beat.
2. The Baltimore Ravens
This Ravens team is scary. NFL fans have wondered for years about what a Lamar Jackson/Derrick Henry backfield would look like, and so far this season they have spearheaded one of the most potent offenses in the league. While the defense has some question marks after starting the season dominant but allowing 92 points across the last three games, the offense has kept up with their opponents scoring and looks to continue their dominance into the postseason.
1. The Detroit Lions
After dethroning one of the NFL’s remaining undefeated teams — the Vikings — the Lions are on a roll. Many people expected their defense to collapse this week following the injury to Aidan Hutchinson, but that was not the case. The team still played dominant football despite the loss of Hutchinson’s production on the defensive side of the ball. Right now, no team looks better, or more complete than the Detroit Lions.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA. Some team’s records don’t tell the whole story, this column spells out who the best teams in the league are.
Sound and sociology: Hip Hop feminism and sexual promiscuity – Part II
Taking a deeper look into the double standard that has plagued Hip Hop since its early days.
By Nahla White columnist2@thenorthernlight.org
It’s not uncommon to listen to a rap song where a man constantly talks about how big his dick is and how many women he’s slept with. As a society, we have become desensitized to male sexuality. The discussion surrounding men’s sexual promiscuity is often brushed off as a natural occurrence, absolving them of a lot of the same accountability that’s placed on women.
Rap has no shortage of this double standard. In the wake of numerous women breaking into rap’s mainstream, there’s been an influx in sentiment about the topic of women’s sexuality and just how open we should be about it in our art.
The catalyst for many of the modern debates about the topic happened in the summer 2020, when Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion released one of my favorite songs of the year, “WAP.”
Immediately, the vulgarity and explicit nature of the lyrics became the subject of much controversy, with many claiming that Cardi and Megan went too far with how they talked about sex in their music.
Ben Shapiro and Snoop Dogg’s critiques of the song are some of the most memorable to me — with Ben Shapiro’s video about the song boiling down to be a rather poor attempt at satirical analysis, and Snoop Dogg’s interview with “Central Ave” featured him saying that women should be more protective of their sexuality. But their criticisms were just a few of many that had to do with drawing a line on where to stop when it came to provocative lyricism. Almost all of the criticisms echoed the same sentiment: Female rap was getting out of hand.
Along with many people
within the community claiming that female rap has a quality problem, the added layer of having our sexualities constantly scrutinized stacks all the odds against us. It has highlighted a much bigger issue that underlies society, and that problem boils down to autonomy.
This goes back to the theory I presented in the last article, that deals with society’s inclination towards patriarchy and subsequent mistreatment of femininealigned things and people. From rap to abortion rights to sex work and more, society hates when women express autonomy.
This is why someone like Snoop Dogg — who is literally featured on a song called “Bitches Ain’t Shit” — has such a problem when women beat men to the finish line by objectifying themselves rather than letting men do it for them. Lots of Hip Hop heads and rap bros have no problem reciting the rather demeaning lyrics of groups like N.W.A. and Three 6 Mafia while simultaneously cringing at the mention of “wet-ass pussy” the moment it comes out of a woman’s mouth.
This is in no small part due to the much larger censorship issue surrounding women’s bodies.
There’s an unspoken rule that causes us to treat women’s bodies as something taboo and I’m not exactly sure why this is. My theory is that because Christianity has always been such a prominent religion in American history — with around 68% of modern Americans identifying with some form of Christianity — the very puritanical culture embedded within the religion is so heavily ingrained in our society that we perpetuate it without even realizing it. And that includes its perception on the sanctity of women’s bodies.
Regardless of the reasoning behind the issue, one thing
Croft’s Comments
Here we go again.
By Tanner Croft columnist.editor@thenorthernlight.org
Q: What would you do to stop singular people from taking group study rooms when there’s already individual study rooms?
A: Ever since the library removed its room reservation policy, the options for handling this are limited. You could politely ask the person if they could use one of the individual study rooms. Or you could assert your superior numbers and take the space by force. TNL does not condone violence.
Q: What item do you hope will be obsolete in 20 years?
A: Taxation.
Q: My boyfriend cheated on me. What’s the best way to get revenge?
A: Leave him and live a good life. The best revenge is to not seek revenge. They will forever regret their decision, and you will move on with your life.
Q: In the context of string
is certain: Society is afraid of women’s bodies, and the real world implications are actually frightening.
Peggy Orenstein’s Ted Talk titled “What young women believe about their own sexual pleasure” highlights a lot of the complications that lie beneath the surface of the issue.
In her speech, she discusses a study conducted by psychologist Sara McClelland at the University of Michigan that raised some concerning revelations. Women reported feelings of shame, humiliation and pain during their first sexual experiences at a higher rate than their male counterparts. On top of that, many young women often measured their own sexual satisfaction based on that of their partners, while most young men measured their satisfaction by their own orgasms.
The research showed a rather interesting disparity in the relationships that men and women have with sex. Orenstein relates this back to the discussion — or lack thereof — surrounding the censorship of women’s bodies.
She mentions how health classes often go into detail about the male anatomy while leaving out vital aspects of the female anatomy, and how society is inclined to write off the existence of the word “vagina” when teaching young girls how to refer to their own genitals. Orenstein discusses how this refusal to acknowledge what’s between our legs is what often leads to many of the unsatisfactory sexual experiences.
We, as a society, are so afraid of what we don’t know, and this has led to many women being afraid to reclaim their bodies and our sexuality.
Now, I know that was a lot, but I promise this relates back to rap.
Going back to the discussion
of autonomy, living in society that constantly polices women’s bodies only further reinforces this notion that our genitalia is something to be feared rather than embraced. Now that so many female rappers are leaping out of their comfort zones and diving into embracing their sexualities, a lot of men don’t know how to handle it, and can’t conceptualize the fact that we can enjoy sex just as much as they can.
In this newer era of raunchy, ratchet, sexually provocative music, women like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have opened the door for a much broader and more nuanced discussion about sexuality, autonomy, and the liberation of women’s bodies. The step toward destigmatization lies in normalizing the topics we’re so afraid of addressing, and with rap having emerged as the new sound of pop in recent years, it’s been
damn near impossible to ignore the sexual lyrics that many female rappers have put at the forefront of the public eye. It lays forth the groundwork for letting women have a choice in how the rest of society views our bodies and how we view ourselves. While it’s become somewhat of a joke in recent years to ironically refer to ratchet rap as “empowering” and “uplifting,” I think the validity of those claims lies far deeper than what most people are willing to acknowledge.
We’re seeing the birth of a new era in which women will be able to redefine ourselves in any way that we please. Hip Hop has always been a medium for rebellion and going against the status quo, and with female rap pioneering another branch of feminism that’s centered around sex positivity, I’m excited to see where this new path will take us.
theory and the holographic principle, how could the entanglement of quantum states within a multi-dimensional framework provide insights into the emergence of spacetime and gravity? And what might this imply for the reconciliation of thermodynamic laws with the fundamental nature of information in black hole thermodynamics, particularly regarding the implications for causality and the potential existence of parallel universes?
A: Yes.
Q: Are hotdogs sandwiches?
A: Hotdogs are tacos.
Q: I have fallen asleep with my head resting on a plate of ice cream. What do I do now that I’m awake?
A: Wash your face and hair, carry on with the day. Maybe buy some ice cream to make yourself feel better.
Q: Best meal to make when drunk — preferably without burning down my house?
A: Microwave a plate of Totino’s Pizza Rolls; it’s relatively safe. The only burning danger
is the danger to your tongue and mouth.
Q: What is your Subway order?
A: Italian herbs and cheese, salami, pepperoni, pepper jack, toasted, spinach, onion, sweet onion sauce, creamy sriracha, mayo.
Q: Where can I find seats when the lower-half of the dining hall is blocked off because of ANSEP? I just wanna eat :(
A: This is an issue that has bothered me for quite some time, and I don’t really have an answer. I wish the university would put the ANSEP students in one of the conference rooms that are there. The walls can be opened and it’s basically an extension of the cafeteria. So why
take the space away from UAA students when there is an easier solution present?
Q: If you could un-invent something, what would it be and why?
A: The lightbulb. I think it would be hilarious for all of us to have laptops and cars, but still have to get around by candlelight.
Q: What’s the worst drink someone can order at a bar?
A: A diet coke.
Q: Would you rather be 12 inches tall or 12 feet tall?
A: 12 inches. How cool would it be to ride around on a Dachshund or an RC car?
Q: Am I the asshole for al-
ways having my high beams on even when it’s 1 p.m.?
A: Probably, but it is your life, and you get to live it your way.
Q: Do you have any advice on not getting hunted down by the U.S. government? I particularly fear the possibility of getting murdered by the CIA.
A: Don’t work for Boeing.
Q: What is a movie that other people would argue is garbage but you would defend tooth and nail?
A: There are so many. “The Boondock Saints” comes to mind, objectively it could be considered bad, but I love it, and it has become a cult-classic over the years since its release.
ART BY U/SABRINAHLJ ON REDDIT.
A redrawing of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s album cover for “WAP.”
GRAPHIC BY EDLEEN GUIAO.
OPINION
Just Sociology Tings: African American and Palestinian solidarity
With this offshoot of ‘Sound and Sociology’ I aim to focus on much heavier socio political topics.
By Nahla White columnist2@thenorthernlight.org
I don’t think it’s a very charged statement to say that we are actively witnessing a genocide in a way we never have before.
Ever since Oct. 7, 2023, both my TikTok and Instagram feeds have been filled with content related to Palestine. Over the course of a year we have seen an entire city flattened to rubble; hospitals, houses, schools, churches, and mosques falling victim to unrelenting bombardment.
People have been forced to witness their entire families being martyred, and as of now, an estimated 43,000 Palestinian souls have been lost as a result of the Israeli siege on Gaza — not taking into account the estimated 10,000 still missing, potentially buried under the rubble of fallen infrastructure.
I cannot begin to imagine the fear and anguish that the people of Gaza experience every day, and no amount of writing could truly capture the essence of how dire the situation is. But one thing that I think should be of note is how resilient Palestinians are. When faced with death and destruction, they still find ways of resisting the powers that try to strip them of everything that they hold dear.
Toward the beginning of the “war,” many journalists either chose to stay in Gaza or simply weren’t able to evacuate before the siege began, with Bisan Owda, Plestia Alaqad and Motaz Azaiza being just a few names out of hundreds. They took it upon themselves to document the atrocities happening within the strip despite having limited access to internet, electricity and without having the same guarantee of safety that many other journalists are afforded.
Despite all of the hospitals in Gaza operating over max capacity, health care providers and EMS have been working around the clock every day to save those who are injured, ill or suffering from malnourishment and starvation.
The people of Gaza and even the West Bank continue to persist even in the face of adversity — it’s hard not to admire their
strength.
To give a brief synopsis of the history: The formation of Israel as a nation-state originated toward the tail end of World War I as a means of finding a place for European Jewish people to live. In 1948, Palestinians were involuntarily displaced from their homes during an event called the Nakba and were subsequently forced to live in an apartheid state ever since.
While gradually learning more about Palestinian history, I found myself seeing so many parallels between their struggles, and those of African Americans.
In order to properly convey this idea, I think it’s important to recontextualize Israel’s existence as a settler-colonial state. Regardless of the intention behind their mass migration to the Middle East, there is no excuse for the subsequent ethnic cleansing and oppression that has come as a result of their occupation of Palestine.
I think one of the biggest parallels between Black and Palestinian struggles is the use of systems of oppression to keep us suppressed and the ways that the state utilizes them.
Institutional racism in Palestine mirrors that of the United States in so many ways. Much like how African Americans have historically had limited access to voting rights, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip do not have the right to vote in Israeli elections — with it being a right reserved for those of Israeli citizenship.
Palestinians have to occupy separate institutions, towns and even use different public infrastructure than Israelis, mirroring the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s infamous Plessy V. Ferguson ruling that allowed for racial segregation within the American South — better known as Jim Crow laws.
The similarities also carry on into the legal proceedings of both nations. Both Black and Palestinian men deal with mass incarceration at alarmingly high rates, and the lack of legitimate due process is another parallel that plagues both Palestine and America.
One case that will forever shake me to my core is that of Kalief Browder. Arrested at age
16 after being accused of stealing a backpack, Kalief was held in the Rikers Island jail complex for three years, with nearly two years of that being spent in solitary confinement. All of this without a trial. Despite the charges being dropped and Browder being released, the damage that his jail time took on his mental health was far too detrimental, and in June 2015, Browder took his life at the age of 22.
Kalief Browder’s case is just one of many that exemplify the criminal justice system’s aversion to administering actual justice, and the case is no different for Palestinians.
Hadi Dahbour is just one of hundreds of young Palestinian boys who have been held in Israeli prisons and detention centers. Formally charged with throwing stones at occupation forces and writing anti-occupation graffiti, Dahbour was put on trial along with nearly two dozen of his peers.
While the amount of time he spent waiting for his trial in the detention center was minimal compared to others, during that time it was suspected that Dahbour had been tortured by Israeli soldiers. He sustained bruises and burn marks that his mother — a doctor — attributed to torture. However, he and his mother had to drop the charges against the Israeli soldiers to
agree to a 19-month sentencing deal for Dahbour.
The ways that African American and Palestinian struggles mirror each other are insurmountable, and Palestinian’s have been recognizing this for years.
For example, the 2014 murder of Micheal Brown at the hands of Darren Wilson, sparked outrage all over the United States. The following protests and demonstrations taking place in Ferguson were met with resistance and violence from law enforcement.
During this time, Palestinians that resonated with the images coming out of the U.S. began taking to social media to voice their solidarity and support of the protestor’s resistance against police.
Palestinians who have had first hand experience dealing with the same police aggression that happened in Ferguson began tweeting tips on how to deal with the police tactics that Israeli occupation forces use against them.
This hits even harder when you realize that numerous police departments across the country have trained with Israeli soldiers on tactics of how to deal with civil unrest, only further solidifying the connection between Black American and Palestinian experiences.
I firmly believe that nearly
all forms of oppression are interconnected. The same powers that oppress my people here in the States have close ties with the powers that are killing Palestinians by the thousands.
I don’t think I’m alone when I say that witnessing this genocide and Palestinian resistance has changed me in a ways that I’m still struggling to grapple. And I have taken so much inspiration from Black activists, content creators and public figureheads that I follow on social media who have voiced their support of Palestine and continue to support organizations and crowdfunding projects directly supporting those who live in the Gaza Strip.
The reason I wrote this article is because — on top of wanting to spread awareness for a cause that I truly believe in — I want to inspire people the same way that the Palestinian people have inspired me.
While I do not support the Black Lives Matter organization, their alliance with Palestinian resistance movements is only reflective of the shared experience and struggles that Black Americans have with them. Palestinians showed us solidarity in 2014. They showed us solidarity in 2020. Now, it’s time for us to show that we stand with them.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GABRIEL KHOURY.
Gabriel Khoury holding up a Palestinian flag in Washington, D.C. during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.