Scrolling through social media platforms, society can be bombarded by posts encouraging body positivity for both men and women.  However, it is a lot easier to encourage body positivity than it is to actually embody it. For example, this February, Abercrombie & Fitch announced the launch of its new ad campaign called ‘Face You Fierce.’ The store that previously targeted only ‘attractive’ people has transitioned to targeting a new diverse and inclusive audience. Despite their … [Read more...]

According to the Wall Street Journal, the price of a Super Bowl commercial was five times more expensive in 2019 than it was in 1995. Today, for one company or brand to score a Super Bowl ad, they must pay upward of $5 million.  The three brands that typically own the most ad space during the Super Bowl are Anheuser-Busch InBev, Pepsico and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which means that these three brands are also contributing the most money toward the ads.  While the cost for a … [Read more...]

July 27, 1996: a day that shocked and stirred an entire nation. While millions of families huddled around their television screens to watch the Summer Olympics, a bomb had been planted in Centennial Park. Locating the bomb mere moments before it detonated, security officer Richard Jewell was able to save hundreds of lives. Jewell’s “hero” title quickly morphed into “villain” when he became a suspect in the FBI’s investigation. 24-hour media coverage of the investigation led to intense public … [Read more...]

For the 2018-19 academic year, AU saw the largest freshman class it has seen in years. Thus, it came as a surprise and disappointment to many when the 2019-20 freshman enrollment numbers reflected a significant decline.  Perhaps none felt let down more than the numerous faculty and staff who were consequently terminated. Although the faculty affected by the layoffs had already signed onto 12-month contracts and will be paid through August of 2020, they will be out of jobs next … [Read more...]

Rap sensation Kanye West’s transition from “I Am God” to “Jesus Is King” shocked the nation. In 2013, West released his album, “Yeezus” and encouraged people to call him by that name. A definite change has occured. Since the beginning of 2019, he’s spent every Sunday leading pop-up church services called “Sunday Service.” The service included worship led by him and others, along with prayer.  It became a social media sensation, and the talk of the release of “Jesus Is King” came soon … [Read more...]

In the dark days of AU football, it was dreadful to watch the offense jog out onto the field and come away empty time after time. This year, there is a much different buzz in the air when Tyson Harley and his offense hit the field. Harley is a freshman quarterback working with a lot of other underclassmen on the offensive side of the ball, and the group is dynamic.  Having four wide recievers come out almost every play can be predictable after a while, but the Ravens manage to … [Read more...]

With today's continuing technological advances, you can find music anywhere. Whether it's Spotify, radio or the return of vinyls, we all have access to music in some form. It's easy to search a song on your phone, put your headphones in and block out everything around you, but imagine hearing that song live. You can literally feel the drum beats in your chest and hear a room full of fans singing that same song with you. It's an experience.  Because of streaming services like Apple … [Read more...]

Not all changes made on campus over the summer were as exciting as a beefed up Rodney Raven and fresh asphalt on College Drive. Many upperclassmen returned to AU this semester dismayed by the elimination of freshman parking locations. One school of throught on our unfortunate new parking situation is that there are more first-year students than there are upperclassmen, so more parking spaces are needed for freshmen than for sophomores, juniors and seniors. While this is true, because … [Read more...]

It’s the timeless slogan slapped on our wristbands, t-shirts and bumper stickers: What would Jesus do? We use it for marketing, advertising and everything else under the sun, but do we actually practice the very words we preach?  When the answer is clear and painless, we happily allow this question to flood our minds and direct our actions. But would we dare allow ourselves to ask this question about a topic many find controversial, a subject often viewed as completely … [Read more...]