Opinions - The Eastern Echo

This 2012 picture is meant to depict Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman. (Courtesy New York Daily News)

COLUMN: Halloween costumes: How far is too far?

By Mariya Gefter · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

Halloween is a time for expressing yourself, dressing up and having fun. This year, many college students aren’t shying away from wearing costumes that will get their peers talking. But because of this, colleges have something new to be concerned about.

Militarization of police costly in time, money and lives

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

There is an epidemic spreading across America today. It has lead to senseless killings and fear mongering in ways that would keep George Orwell up at night cowering beneath his bed sheets.

Voting can weaken elites’ power

By Professor John G. Fike · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

Our constitutional framework is not effective without continual reinforcement by our citizens – you and me. If the people don’t put up a mighty resistance every time the 1 percent try to take over, the aristocracy aggrandizes itself.

Ypsi is no Detroit, will not declare bankruptcy

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013

The city is certainly in a rut, but it hasn’t fallen off a fiscal cliff like Detroit.

Republicans are new ‘Red Scare’

By Tom Brandt · Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013

Today, I’m only writing to Eastern Echo readers who agree with me that it’s the Republican Party – not socialism, communism or terrorism – which is now the single greatest threat to American national security. We have met the enemy, and they are the GOP.

Church is not just a building

By Leaha Dotson · Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013

Church isn’t one rigid definition or place – it’s a living element. It’s people. The old notions of church aren’t as true as they may appear. Church is fellowship and love with people in motion.

Does Ypsilanti have the means to carry out its Master Plan?

By James Tatum · Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013

I don’t know that I would call the Master Plan overly optimistic, and don’t mean for my analysis to be pessimistic, but I worry about how the city plans to pay for any of its amelioration efforts.

Sports writer, EMU alum passes

By Al Willman · Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013

There are those people in the world who make an impact on your life, just by hearing about them from other people or looking at the results of hard work they did to accomplish something. Larry Cathey was one of those people.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Echo volunteer, mentor, remembers former Echo sports writer

By Art Brooks · Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013

I can’t recall the first time I saw or met Larry Cathey. But I can say one thing … I’d bet my ranch he had his Tigers hat on. Backward, as always.

Affirmative action will not bridge gaps, promote equality

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013

A professor once taught me “Diversity does not equal equality.” I commend him for this, framing the idea of diversity in a way I have never encountered. There is a difference between the two and they rarely, if ever, live in harmony.

Why do humans adore violence?

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013

Violence has a tendency to be everywhere, even if we don’t exactly notice it.

Consider historical context of common terminology

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013

This year’s TruEMU campaign features several successful alumni. One of the power statements of the selected alumni proclaims, “I manifest my own destiny.” This may seem like a harmless statement in today’s context. It means that the individual is taking charge of her life to make her dreams a reality.

COLUMN: Opposing Views: Red Wings getting new arena (CON)

By James Tatum · Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013

The news is a broke city plans to help pay for a new sports arena. I was as confused as I’m sure anybody would be when I heard the city of Detroit, which filed for bankruptcy in July, planned to help pay for a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings.

COLUMN: Opposing Views: Red Wings getting new arena (PRO)

By Al Willman · Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013

In the world of sports, new stadiums and arenas are built when their predecessors become outdated or obsolete. This is not a new concept, especially to downtown Detroit, which has seen two new stadiums pop up in the last 13 years.

Zero tolerance policies make zero sense

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013

The message North Andover School District is sending students is a dangerous one. Schools are supposed to provide a learning experience where rights and wrongs are solidified into lifelong values designed to prepare students to function in the real world. Sadly, zero tolerance polices are black-and-white blemishes on the foundation of public education. The real world isn’t so clear-cut, and to make a decision to aid a friend in need and to be punished for it is sickening.

Is Ypsilanti doing enough to protect off-campus students?

By Al Willman · Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013

I live in an off-campus apartment, as do many students here at Eastern, and a question I have, which I heard asked at the forum and am certain many of you have as well is this: What about our safety?

Opinions editor sits down with mayor of Ypsilanti for interview

By James Tatum · Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013

Last week I was able to sit down with Paul Schreiber, mayor of Ypsilanti, for an interview. We discussed the city’s Master Plan, the walkability of the city and how proposed infrastructure improvements would be financed.

We have reasons to be spirited

By Jess J. Salisbury · Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013

The most common question I’ve gotten about the newspaper in the past couple weeks is something to the effect of “Why do you guys keep picking on Ron English?”

Children need both

By Olivia Jackson · Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013

Over the past few decades, the ideologies and traditions of raising a family has changed. Families that once consisted of a hard-working father and a stay-at-home mother now consist of one parent trying to multitask the duties of two parents. In this generation, the sole provider has been mothers. Mothers have been forced to take on the responsibility of raising children on their own without the help of the fathers.

Religious views do not belong in U.S. politics

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013

There is an infusion of Judeo-Christian fundamentalism in American politics today. This is thanks to the extremist wing of the Republican Party and the Tea Party that believes America has lost its Godly way.