Opinions - The Eastern Echo

How we talk about mental illness needs to change

By Quinn Ellison · Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014

When I was growing up, it did not take me long to learn that common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders were not exactly taken seriously by most of the adults in my life. I have a history of anxiety and depression going back to my early teen years.

2014 should be a year of social innovation

By Professor John G. Fike · Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014

Great possibilities lie ahead this year. We need this to be a year of social innovation – overcoming the ill effects of the corporate world’s focus on technological innovation over the last two centuries.

Michigan needs to save surplus

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014

Good news, finally. The State of Michigan is projected to have a budget surplus, between $971.1 million and $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2014. Followed by this news has been an appropriate question: “What do we do with this money?”

Verizon threatens ‘net neutrality’

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014

The D.C Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled in Verizon v. FCC that the Federal Communications Commission lacks the legal justification to impose the Open Internet rules, better known as net neutrality, on Internet Service Providers. This could be a crushing blow to net neutrality and Internet freedom.

‘Selfishness’ not generational

By Quinn Ellison · Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014

It’s a new year, but I doubt the journalistic trend of pontificating on the personality flaws of Millennials is going to stop anytime soon. I would argue that this trend of thinking that the young people are wayward and self-involved dates back to approximately every generation that has ever existed, but let’s focus on the “Me Generation.”

Snow days, all grown up

By Laura Merz · Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014

Rewind your life about 10 years. Remember what school in January was like as a middle-schooler? Anxiously listening to the radio for school closings was probably up there on your top-10 list of exciting activities. Remember running over to the speaker every five minutes to see if your district was added to the bill of winners?

Voluntary fatherhood bad for women, children

By Mandy Grenier · Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014

Proposed voluntary fatherhood rights will allow men to opt out of parenthood, leaving millions of children without the necessary financing for proper care.

Relationships have value

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014

Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think of all the things there are to do: complete undergrad, go on to grad school, start a successful career, spend time with family and friends, eat well, find the time to work out (Work out? No one has time for that!) and a million other things on the list.

Zero tolerence schools lead to racial disparities, youth in prison

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

Imagine yourself getting in trouble at school for a simple dress code violation, like an inappropriate hoodie. You’d think the last thing to happen to you would be a ride to jail, yet for many in this country, it is a reality they must fear everyday.

Causes of distrust in society must be addressed

By Professor John G. Fike · Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

Looking to the year ahead, wouldn’t it be great if we could take significant strides toward economic sustainability, peace and real justice for the people of our world? But corporate use of government to pleasure the privileged prevents us from exercising world leadership in humanity’s quest for a better life for everyone.

Poor understanding of poverty leads to poor policy

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

Since the Great Recession, the blame for current misfortunes has been shifted from those who caused it to those who now suffer from it. It has become acceptable to have antipathy for the poor – it has become acceptable to make the worst kind of assumptions about people who are less fortunate.

LGBT allies need to show it in their everyday behavior

By Quinn Ellison · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

I am conflicted about something that is often seen as an unquestionably positive boon for social movements – it bothers me when people refer to themselves as allies to the LGBT community. This qualm also applies to when people label themselves as allies to other marginalized groups of people, but I’m only going to speak from my own experience here as a person who identifies as transgender and bisexual.

Young people fall into 'Busy Trap', get stressed

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

As students and bonafide busybodies, we can stress out very easily. Yet the simple fact that we continually take part in activities that bring us physical and mental strain is outright mind-boggling. For some, it’s not a choice; they have to stay busy to provide for themselves, provide for others, or stay on top of schoolwork.

'Affluenza' not an excuse

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

It is hard to live in America and not notice that there is a great disparity between the rich and poor. According to the 2012 edition of the State of Working America from the Economic Policy Institute, household income, adjusted for inflation, has grown 12 times more for the top 1 percent than for the middle 20 percent, and 24 times more than the bottom 20 percent.

'Fair Sentencing Act' not all that fair

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

In Aug. 2010, President Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. While its name is misleading, it does help begin to reduce the disparities created out of the “War on Drugs.”

There's no wrong way to make decisions in life, love

By Jess J. Salisbury · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

Those dang kids keep getting married younger and younger, I say. Actually, not really – according to the Pew Research Center, the average marrying age is 26.9 and 29.8, for women and men respectively. But “23 Things to do Instead of Getting Engaged Before You’re 23,” an article that has recently exploded across social media, would have you think otherwise.

Editor explores idea of sustainability

By James Tatum · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

“Sustainability means being able to balance the budget, providing basic services for public safety, transportation, and business development, and encouraging development of the local resources that are special to the community,” said Paul Schreiber, mayor of Ypsilanti. “In Ypsilanti’s case, this is historic architecture, Eastern Michigan University and the proximity to Ann Arbor.”

'Duck Dynasty' star was within First Amendment rights

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014

While the controversy surrounding Duck Dynasty’s show-running patriarch Phil Robertson has subsided since his reinstatement to the show, what occurred in the wake of his suspension deserves some scrutiny.

Christmas' 'spirit of giving' evolves with age

By Jess J. Salisbury · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

When I was little, around this time of year, my elementary school’s music room would be overtaken by jolly volunteers and crammed full of cheap stocking stuffers as part of the annual Santa’s Workshop fundraiser. It was this school-wide event where kids came in and bought presents for their parents and other loved ones. I loved poring over all the little knickknacks and baubles, carefully picking out the things I really wanted, and then, in the last couple minutes or so, grabbing some stuff for Mom and Dad.

Unions not doing enough to help pensioners

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

Upward social and economic mobility used to be a hallmark of America’s working classes. American workers pursuing these values typically came to the negotiating table in “good faith” when they bargained with capital for higher wages and benefits. But those clutching the purse have had little taste for such idealism – economic justice has never been America’s strong suit.