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Opinion
The Opinion section regularly features staff editorials, columnists' essays on topics privy to them, and unpopular opinions.
Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month on campus
The month of April is annually observed as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Before SAAM was officially declared in 2001 by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, activists held campaigns, protests, marches, and other events related to sexual assault and violence throughout April. Sexual assault is a challenging topic, but it is crucial for us to discuss these public health issues. It is even more important for us to show our support for sexual assault victims whose stories have never been shared.
2024 is the year of Shadow the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Ever since the release of the first Sonic game in 1991, the franchise has sold over 160 million copies and continues to grow strong, with one of its most recent titles, Sonic Frontiers (2022), selling over 3.5 million units. In addition, the franchise has produced two highly successful live-action films, with the second movie making over $405 million worldwide. 2024 is shaping up to be a good year for the franchise, as not only is the third movie coming out this winter, but Sonic won’t be the main focus this time around. Instead, this year's focus will be on the fan-favorite character: Shadow the Hedgehog.
Tattoos and piercings are not unprofessional
Body modifying and inking in professional settings has been a controversial topic for far too long. It is already enough that workers must advocate for a liveable wage, but the idea that some people are denied that opportunity because they choose to decorate their bodies how they see fit is, honestly, embarrassing.
Penguins are flippers down the best animal
As a kid, I was absolutely enamored with the zoo. Going there allowed me to see animals up close that I wouldn’t otherwise see. I had seen countless squirrels in my backyard, but it was only at the zoo that I could see large predators like tigers and alligators. While it’s easy to get sucked into the spectacle of the ferocious beasts, the best animal there is undoubtedly that of the penguin. Cute and cuddly, the penguin has been a staple in the zoo business for a long time.
Hay Day continues to be the best game on the App Store
The app Hay Day is a popular game among many, but few, truly, take this game seriously. This game is available on the App Store right now and will continue to be one of the best as it continues to get better through every update. The game has been around for years, and I have had the app since December 2013. I have spent 11 years enjoying the calming yet exciting features that the game has to offer.
The people on the phone are not your friends
Since the dawn of Hollywood, the general public has been enraptured by big-screen stars, with Florence Lawrence (1886-1938) often being dubbed “the first movie star.” In the modern-day the prevalence of social media, particularly platforms like YouTube and TikTok, has only expanded what the general public categorizes as “celebrities” or—at least—“content creators.” Though having a career in social media is a relatively new phenomenon, which is currently being actively defined by those who have been able to reach into more traditional “stardom” through social media, the ways in which these platforms have changed how the public interacts with entertainers are already becoming apparent.
Apex Legends is the best battle royale
Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale first-person shooter game. The game was released on Feb. 4, 2019, by Respawn Entertainment, and was a massive success, taking the gaming industry by storm. At its release, only eight playable characters were available in the game: Bangalore, Bloodhound, Caustic, Mirage, Lifeline, Pathfinder, and Wraith. Five years later, Apex Legends is now on its 20th season and has continued to thrive with 25 characters, hundreds of cosmetics, and an engaging storyline that ties all of the legends together.
The epidemic of food waste in campus dining halls
If I were to ask what pops up when you Google “the world’s dumbest problem?” would you guess the top response is “food waste?” If so, bingo! You're dead on!
Key fashion staples that should be in your closet: Summer 2024
Shopping for summer? Not sure what to wear? Well, look no further as I am going to be sharing my top summer fashion choices for everyone—you don’t want to miss this.
International Transgender Day of Visibility continues to celebrate transgender and nonbinary life
On Mar. 31, 2009, the first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held. The founder, Rachel Crandell-Crocker, a psychotherapist and executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Transgender Michigan, has stated that she is moved by the celebration of this day 15 years after it was first acknowledged. Crandell-Crocker stressed that she wants transgender people to feel a sense of joy and community while celebrating their identities.
Beyblades are back and better than ever
Spinning tops are one of the oldest and most recognizable toys ever created, with many variations still being produced today. The 2010s, though, produced an iconic type of spinning top where the focus wasn’t only about seeing how long the toy could spin. These tops came in different varieties, all focused on beating others out, like in many other battle-based games. These tops also featured different parts, which allowed players to customize their tops in a way that would highlight their best attributes. Some of these toys specialized in striking an opposing top, while others were well-rounded with strong attacks, solid defense, and high endurance, allowing them to take on any opponent. These toy tops were called Beyblades, and they are coming back this year better than ever.
Why would it be buffoonery to ban TikTok?
On Friday, Mar. 8, 2024, when asked about his stance on banning TikTok and whether he would be willing to sign the bill, President Joe Biden responded, “If they [the United States Congress] pass it, I’ll sign it.”
How media changed my life
As graduation draws closer, I’m beginning to catch myself reflecting more and more on my time and experiences over my four years as an undergraduate here at SUNY Geneseo. So many aspects of my life have changed for the better, but one that stands out is my decision halfway through college to change course and pick up a new major. At the beginning of my junior year, I changed my major from history education to communication with a journalism and media track, and I couldn’t have imagined what it's done for me since then.
Performative activism is dangerous
Performative activism is a person’s effort to appear supportive of a social justice cause while continuing to perpetrate harmful behavior. We witnessed it during the Black Lives Matter and the Me Too movements, and we are currently seeing it within the Free Palestine movement, which aims to defend and advocate for the human rights of all Palestinians.
Women’s History Month is crucial in honoring and advocating for women
The month of March pays tribute to the women who contributed to American history and made the country’s society what it is today. Initially, in 1978 in Santa Rosa, California the Education Task Force of Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women began planning a “Women’s History Week” during the week of March 8. This week gained a lot of support and began to be celebrated all over the country the following year.
Lucy Dacus is the most underrated member of boygenius
While I am an ardent fan of all three of their solo careers, I feel the most underrated member of this group is Lucy Dacus, whose lyricism, sound, and range go largely unnoticed—even as the group's popularity and recognition skyrocket.
Aaron Bushnell deserves empathy, not backlash
[The article contains discussions of self-immolation and suicide. Reader discretion is strongly advised.]
Wendy Williams’ documentary is devastating
Wendy Williams is an American broadcaster, producer, and media personality, most popular for her television program, The Wendy Williams Show. Like most television viewers, I was never the biggest fan of Wendy Williams, her personality, and the show itself. Williams is most popular for her feuds with Tupac, Whitney Houston, and Beyoncé, along with a lengthy list of controversial comments throughout her years as a host on both radio and television. Williams’ long, successful, and controversial career abruptly came to a halt, however, after she was given a devastating medical diagnosis.
Ranking WWE pay-per-views
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has been producing ground-breaking pay-per-views (PPVs) since the mid-1980s. Over the past 30-plus years, fans have witnessed some of the most tremendous performances alongside some…not-so-good ones, as well. Whether this be because of the production or a result of the quality of the matches, it is safe to say that any WWE pay-per-view can be very hit or miss. In this article, we will be taking a look at some of WWE’s best and worst PPV matches.
We are losing ourselves to technology and media
As a society, we have entered a new era that is completely dependent on a digital world. The creation of different technological devices has affected our natural skills and regulatory systems. Some people are even reliant on devices to remind them to eat or drink water because they are too busy looking at another screen to remember themselves otherwise. There is a serious lack of patience and a loss of identity, and we have essentially isolated ourselves from the world. How can we be less dependent on technology while seeing it for the tool it is and using it ethically and responsibly?