On Nov. 6, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of the U.S. Senate seats will be up for grabs. In a democratic republic, where leaders are elected to make decisions on our behalf, it is incredibly important for those leaders to be held accountable to the electorate. The only way to hold them accountable is to vote them out if they represent us poorly and vote them back in if they represent us fairly. This is the most effective way that we the people can ensure that … [Read more...]

The Department of Justice reports that an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds and that an overwhelming majority of sexual assault victims are under the age of 30. Additionally, one out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. A report out of the National Victim Center and Medical University of South Carolina states that one out of three women who are raped contemplate suicide, and 13 percent of women who are raped attempt … [Read more...]

This fall, Nike released an ad campaign featuring prominent African American athletes. One ad in particular celebrates Colin Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49er quarterback, for his controversial National Anthem protests two years ago. "Believe in something," reads the black and white poster, "even if it means sacrificing everything." Kaepernick came under heavy fire in 2016 for kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem before several games with the goal of raising awareness for … [Read more...]

Here we are. This is it. I have made it (both finally and, seemingly, in the blink of an eye) to the end of my college career. Many things have changed in my life throughout the course of college, although I regret to inform you all that I have failed to achieve my one goal (that is, to obtain my MRS degree). Regardless of these shortcomings, I am entering my final semester with the Andersonian empowered and thankful for the time I have spent in this office, where I have learned many ways not to … [Read more...]

This is my least favorite week of the year. For many, this week is overwhelming with assignments and last-minute preparation for finals. Although I can't say that I personally enjoy "Hell week," as it is so aptly called, I can say this much: academic Hell week holds no candle to the heartache that is watching your dear friends head off into the sunset. With only one semester left to tackle, I can't imagine how unrecognizable this place will be without so many people who have made AU home to me. … [Read more...]

While walking down a city street recently, a member of the Andersonian staff encountered a woman, disheveled and worn-looking, sifting through a trashcan for plastic bottles and aluminum cans. The staffer, never having encountered such a situation, looked away and continued walking. After the staffer passed, the woman said hello to another passerby. When the person didn't respond, the woman said, "Why is nobody smiling at me? Is there something on my face?" Over the next few hours and … [Read more...]

The Easter season: a time filled with Easter egg hunts, pastel colors and bunnies. For many, the powerful nature and culture that surrounds Easter is often hidden behind baskets and shiny, too-green fake grass. In a world that markets to what sells, to what is fun, to what is  consumeristic, even the most important death and most meaningful act of perfect love in all of history is shrouded by frills and bows. The Easter Bunny was most likely a pivitol figure in your childhood. Waking up to … [Read more...]

As students, we are coached to work diligently to “achieve” something, whether that be a prestigious internship, fellowship or job opportunity. We know we’re supposed to be racing toward that goal, but it’s easy to get lost along the way. What if we return from summer break, struck with the fear that our majors might not be the best fit for us? What if someone warns us that this career we’ve been daydreaming about isn’t the most financially secure option? What if, while walking across the … [Read more...]

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." - The Second Amendment America's children are not being taught how to spell, determine the slope of an angle or to cite the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Instead, America's children are learning to use textbooks as projectiles. They are learning how to fight. They are learning that fire alarms are just as useful for gunfire as … [Read more...]

It’s 11 a.m. You, like most AU students, have probably endured a whirlwind of a morning that began with a thrice-snoozed alarm, lectures, possibly a presentation or two and have ended here—in the audience of Reardon Auditorium. Of course, your first impulse after sinking into your cushy seat is to check your phone. Who knows what you could have missed on Twitter this morning while you were confined to the classroom? It’s only natural to scroll through social media, reply to a text or … [Read more...]