Editorials

The Eastern Echo weighs in on the importance of independent journalism

The Eastern Echo is joining in the celebration of the 85th National Newspaper Week to honor our role in serving the Eastern Michigan University and Ypsilanti communities as an independent student newspaper.

Notes from the Editor: Meet our friend Scoop!

Notes From the Editor: Echo advertisements leading up to Election Day

The Echo announces student editorial board for the Winter 2022 semester

If you are interested in being apart of the team, contact us now! 

Spotify Wrapped: Echo staff picks

The Echo staff wrapped up 2019 by looking at music streaming data in Spotify Wrapped.

Opinion: A student leader’s perspective on EMU

Sam Jones-Darling, an EMU alumni, is reflecting back on his time as a student leader. This is part one of a multi-part series of his experiences at EMU.

Michigan GOP continues to disregard the will of the people

The Michigan GOP has disregarded the will of the people with its new budget. With cuts to the Department of State and Attorney General’s office, it’s clear that Senate Republicans are playing politics. 

Letter to the Editor: Enbridge Line 5

I respect that people are passionate about the environment. As Earth Day nears, I want to add my voice to the mix.

GM Owes Communities for Closing Plants

Despite making over $8.1 billion in profit after taxes in 2018, General Motors is planning to close five plants in the United States, including the plant in Detroit-Hamtramck. The decision to cut costs was made to save the company $6 billion by 2020 and the company plans to open new plants in Mexico.

It’s Time to Stop Talking About the Mueller Probe

 Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivered his final report to Attorney General William Barr on March 22. The investigation looked into whether or not Trump and his campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election and whether or not Trump was involved with obstruction of justice. No evidence of coordination with the Russian government was found, and it’s time for Democrats to move on. 

University for Sale: Eastern Michigan University continues the dangerous path of privatization.

 In recent years, Eastern Michigan University has entered a public-private partnership with Chartwells for dining services and LAZ Parking for on-campus parking. Now, the University is considering the privatization of housing. What are the potential options for the University and impacts of privatization?  

What Does Beto O’Rourke Bring to the Democratic Field?

After Beto O’Rourke inevitably announced his 2020 run for the presidency, critics in journalism, entertainment and politics questioned his merits to run, as both his resume and his announcement video leave something to be desired.  

A Student First Solution for EMU Housing

Over the last several years, the EMU administration has made the decision to privatize several areas of campus operations that were previously under the full control of our public university. Recently, the administration has turned their attention toward renovating our aging housing infrastructure. Student Government is working to ensure that they take a student first approach in any potential renovations by holding the administration to a set of four core demands. 

A Response to the ‘Best Hall’ Incident

Last Monday, a Black doll was found hanging in a shared shower of a dorm room in Best Hall. After this incident, Black students, including myself, are unsure whether Eastern Michigan University cares about students of color or are just using them as a token to show that they are diverse. 

The Green New Deal: Bring it on

In a bombshell 700-page report released last year, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gave a grim warning about the urgency of climate change. Luckily, some Democrats in Congress are taking action with the Green New Deal.

The Breakdown Of Civil Communication

On the weekend of Jan. 18, several marches were held in Washington D.C. During these rallies, an incident involving students from Covington Catholic High School and Native American activist Nathan Phillips went viral and many were quick to jump to conclusions over the ten second video.

A Call to Humanity

When you encounter antisemitism—or racism, Islamophobia, sexism, homophobia, or any of the myriad other forms of prejudice, discrimination, hatred, or xenophobia which run rampant in our society—don’t turn away. 

A Feminist Response To The Shelving Of The Vagina Monologues

Recently, the Women’s Resource Center announced it would end productions of The Vagina Monologues. The reason? It’s insufficiently diverse and inclusive. First, let me be clear that I agree with that assessment, and I claim no attachment to the continuation of the monologues. But even as a queer feminist, soon to be graduating from Eastern’s Women’s and Gender Studies program, I write this: it’s a terrible mistake to end the monologues on a basis that boils down to The Vagina Monologues do it wrong. 

Ypsilanti provides tax abatements to businesses

The National Bureau of Economic Research announced a nascent recession in the United States in 2007, and then cited its end in 2009. There has since, however, been an economic malaise, with the national unemployment rate at 7.3 percent and state unemployment rate at 8.8 percent.

Mental illnesses: Let’s end the stigma

It’s easy to be afraid of something you don’t understand – why do you think people are scared of ghosts, death or One Direction’s fandom? But what happens when the very thing people don’t understand is that big gray blob of meat inside your skull?