Opinions - The Eastern Echo

We are similar despite differing opinions

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013

Listening to media highlights the little things that make us different. Our politics, religious affiliations, or lack thereof, wealth, values, and ideologies are all played out to make us feel unalike.

Eating disorders can be anyone’s problem

By Andrea Lorfel · Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013

Eating disorders do not discriminate. They don’t take age, race, weight, IQ or anything else into account before taking over someone’s life.

The pros of co-op housing

By Jim Jones · Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013

Just down Washtenaw Road, near the University of Michigan campus, there are 550 students who own their own homes. These are the members of the Inter-Cooperative Council at U of M. Their story is compelling, and it raises a simple question: is it time to start co-ops in Ypsilanti?

PETA promotes fat-shaming

By Lizzy Cianfarani · Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013

More often than not, the tendency of animal rights activists is to sell their meat-free ideology by appealing to others’ self-annihilating “thin is in” vanity.

Freedom of religion and LGBT rights go head-to-head

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013

There is a battle raging in the American discourse – a generous term at that. America prides itself on the freedoms it protects for its citizens, yet what happens when two freedoms are vehemently at odds with one another?

Echo editor disinclined to vote for Snyder

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013

“It’s a nerdy job, but somebody has to do it,” Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said in the first ad of his obvious, yet unannounced reelection bid. I voted for Snyder in 2010, but I am less inclined to do so when the Republican will be up for reelection in 2014. The ad has provoked the desire to reappraise Snyder’s record.

To pay or not to pay

By Joe Israel · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

To pay or not to pay? That is the question.

‘Rape culture’ needs to stop

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

There is a dark underbelly to American culture that rarely, if ever, receives fair coverage in the media today. It is passed off as slut shaming, victim blaming, no big deal or pretty much anything other than what it really is: rape.

WiFi routers are a plus

By Christoper Drouillard · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

When I first started college, it was hard for me to connect to the wireless Internet. I would have to open my door as if I were inviting the wireless into my room just so my computer could actually find and connect to it. Eventually I was brought a router from home and I never had trouble with connecting to the wireless again – until now.

Men don’t have to be ‘tough’

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013

“Man, you’re whipped.” “Who’s wearing the pants?” “Man up.” These are the sorts of negative phrases that, if not directly said to impressionable young men, are passed on to them through media as cultural expectations of what it means to be a man.

Letter To the Editor

By Oona Friedland · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

Dear Eastern Echo, I am extremely upset and offended by the article titled, “Students for Life Informs about Planned Parenthood,” as the title in and of itself seems contradictory.

Parking problems prompt a solution

By Keven Sommerville · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

From what you could call the penthouse here at Eastern Michigan University, the 10th floor lounge in Hill Hall overlooks all of campus and miles upon miles beyond.

Media shield law might violate amendment

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

We live in a country that prides itself on freedom – freedom of speech, religion and the press. Americans take pride in what we have in this country today. Yes, it can easily be argued that those freedoms are eroding thanks to our government’s fear mongering, but for the most part, we do live in a very special place.

Cooperation needed between EMU, Ypsi

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

Earlier this month at a presentation on campus, Teresa Gillotti, the city planner of Ypsilanti, spoke about how much of an asset Eastern Michigan University is to the city.

Festival surprisingly fun

By Tommy Barker · Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013

The Renaissance era: a turning point in world history for art, literature and human ideology.

African-Americans endure economic inequalities

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013

The Great Recession has been particularly hard for Michigan and its workers. When General Motors and Chrysler fumbled financially, they fell into bankruptcy. By not compensating consumers weary of growing gas prices with practical alternatives, Michigan’s economic core was poised to crumble.

If people take action, Detroit can be rebuilt

By Olivia Jackson · Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013

Neighborhoods that once grew beautiful pastel peonies and shining marigolds are now barren. Homes that held memories of a bright-eyed baby’s first steps are replaced with blown out windows and graffiti-stained walls. This is the depiction of the average Detroit urban community. The urban communities have been neglected and left to wither away to nothing. With help and dedication from the community, neighborhoods can be rebuilt to provide better and safer living.

US unemployment drops while Michigan’s rises

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

Despite the drop in the national unemployment rate reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics earlier this month, the state of Michigan saw an increase in the number of jobless claims.

Effects of tax subsidies create skepticism

By James Tatum · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

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

By Jess Salisbury · Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

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?