Opinions - The Eastern Echo

Opinion: Now is the time for data-driven, common sense police reform

By Heather Weigel · Tuesday, June 9, 2020

American legislative bodies and advocacy groups should take advantage of the consensus around needing police reform. Part of that is having an honest conversation about what reforms work, how to push them through, and how to navigate reform while keeping unlikely allies motivated to join and continue the cause.

Second protest emerges after white Washtenaw County deputy is accused of using excessive force on black woman (22)

Opinion: No, the Black Lives Matter protests are not an extension of Bernie's electoral "revolution"

By Heather Weigel · Wednesday, June 3, 2020

The Black Lives Matter movement necessitates a bottom-up approach to reform; while that has resonated with the campaign rhetoric of Bernie Sanders, it more appropriately applies to local and state governments. Claims that Bernie is “what we need” as a nominee are only half-true and distract from the greater point.

How to Self Publish Your Own Book

By Kassandra Olschanski · Wednesday, June 3, 2020

The process of self publishing my own book was overwhelming at first, until I learned it is not as difficult as I may think.

Review: A Virtual Solution to Quarantine Problems

By Parker Lazar · Monday, June 1, 2020

With many of us still stuck in our homes and away from our loved ones, we’re forced to find new and creative solutions to help shorten that six-foot gap. New advancements in Virtual Reality might just help us do that, and could make future events like this much easier to bear.

Riot police surround the perimeter of Schenely Park during an anti-police brutality demonstration.

Opinion: Riots over George Floyd’s death won’t tarnish his legacy, they’ll cement it in history

By Fenrik Goerlitz · Monday, June 1, 2020

Looking down upon protestors who damage property and saying they’ll just tarnish George Floyd’s legacy is to easy of a thing to do, so consider looking more into the situation.

Opinion: Building a better (online) college experience

By Parker Lazar · Monday, June 1, 2020

Colleges and universities across this country are in the process of deciding whether or not their institutions will be open again in the fall. As more and more institutions are beginning to consider an online-only approach, certain changes need to be made to how this approach is implemented if higher education wants to survive this moment in history.

New Spanish/British Netflix Series 'White Lines,' Is Full of Mystery and Weird Storylines

By Layla McMurtrie · Monday, June 1, 2020

Is White Lines, an intense new crime show, worth a watch?

Joe Biden at Iowa Legislative Conference

Opinion: Yes, even leftists should vote for Biden

By Marcus Lawniczak · Saturday, May 30, 2020

While the hearts of progressives may push them to embrace “Bernie or Bust,“ a victorious Biden in November would cause less Americans to suffer due to relatively more progressive policies on immigration, fossil fuels, and the Middle East.

Opinion: We need more American sports dramas

By Heather Weigel · Saturday, May 30, 2020

As the pandemic wreaks havoc on the TV programming calendar, it may leave some holes open to be filled in the future; perhaps sports dramas can rise up and fill them.

Opinion: A Showdown for the Ages

By Parker Lazar · Wednesday, May 27, 2020

The general election debates are just a few short months away. With so much at stake, and the nation struggling to find its way out of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a debate between current President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, would certainly be much-watch television.

Advice: How to fill your time during quarantine

By Kassandra Olschanski · Wednesday, May 27, 2020

The world has changed rapidly, and we all need to find new things to fill our time.

Review: "When" by Emili is the dose of hope we need right now

By Chelsea Bacci · Tuesday, May 26, 2020

A new song by budding artist Emili is a sense of hope portrayed in musical form. “When” is a beautifully created message for the rest of the world.

"Dave" Review: This new comedy series showcases the humorous yet real life of rapper Lil Dicky

By Layla McMurtrie · Tuesday, May 26, 2020

More authentic in comparison to any other show on television, “Dave” showcases a fictionalized reality of this rapper/comic.

Advice: Communication is key to building strong relationships

By Kassandra Olschanski · Monday, May 25, 2020

Communicating how we feel to others when they’ve upset us is scary, but the best way forward is to always be open and tell people exactly how you feel.

Jaden Smith releases an emotionally beautiful music video for SYRE track "Ninety"

By Layla McMurtrie · Monday, May 25, 2020

The talent of this celebrity family is astronomical and this member of the crew is definitely underrated.

Future "High Off Life" Aims for New Level in Core Trap

By Curtis Dinwiddie · Monday, May 25, 2020

The self-proclaimed wizard debuts new album for 2020 with heavy features of Drake, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Durk, DaBaby and Lil Baby. “High Off Life” represents a healing state of mind that progresses through past anguish.

Opinion: New NBA G-League pathway could spell ruin for NCAA basketball

By Caleb Burlingame · Wednesday, May 20, 2020

A look into if the new NBA G-League path could be the end of the NCAA.

Opinion: Sexism is behind the harsh criticism Governor Whitmer is facing

By Layla McMurtrie · Wednesday, May 20, 2020

“That woman in Michigan,“ is just like many officials worldwide, committed to trying to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Opinion: Conspiracism is a popular phenomenon; addressing it requires understanding and dialogue rather than censorship

By Heather Weigel · Friday, May 15, 2020

The best way to navigate popular conspiracy theories is to approach them from the understanding that these theories are a mostly natural phenomenon and that people aren’t necessarily wrong to endorse some of them. They may be factually incorrect, but they are not behaviorally out-of-bounds. Popular conspiracy theories should also be approached with the knowledge that public debate itself can put a ceiling on conspiracy theories. Facebook and Youtube may have added fuel to the conspiratorial fire by removing the “Plandemic” video.

Opinion: Achieving herd immunity without a vaccine could be the only way to end the COVID-19 pandemic

By Marcus Lawniczak · Friday, May 15, 2020

Among the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic is the potential for herd immunity via a majority of Americans contracting and recovering from the virus. While social distancing is a proper first response, a long-lasting lockdown may have far-reaching consequences ideologically and economically. Soon we must approach the next step of our response, and that response requires more Americans to contract the virus as we receive more data and develop more “best practices.”