Opinion Writing

The United States of America has been experiencing heightened political polarization, including ideological divisions between Democrats and Republicans. This polarization is regularly displayed in Congress, the media, and public discourse. The dominance of the two-party system has been a large area of criticism. Many would argue that this system significantly limits the diversity of political representation and makes it more difficult for alternative voices to emerge. The most pressing central question is: Would significant changes to our political or electoral institutions make America’s democracy work better? Furthermore, should these changes be actively pursued? These questions can prompt us to thoroughly examine the existing structures and processes that justify the United States political system. The Constitution was first written during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where a group of influential people like Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison shared ideas and ...

 Embracing My Identity: My Journey to Self-Acceptance By: Lauren Rollins “Damn, this baby’s hair is nappy” Nappy. That's how my mom would describe my hair as she sat me down for my first relaxer before I was a year old. The offensive term, originally used to describe the naturally kinky and coily hair of African slaves in the 17th century, is how I viewed my hair for years. Growing up, especially as a young black girl in the South, I couldn't escape the constant commentary on my appearance. Whether it was the texture of my hair, the shade of my skin, or the shape of my features, it seemed like everyone had an opinion – and none of them were positive. My family, bless their hearts, inadvertently added to what many would call my "self-hatred." My mother, sister, and even my grandparents, all unintentionally reinforced the idea that there was something inherently wrong with the way I looked.  “I don’t want to get darker” my older sister, Victoria, would whine while we sa...

 The Big South Hits High Point by: Lauren Rollins      High Point University is preparing for a major sports spectacle as it is set to host the Big South Tournament. Moreso than just the excitement of basketball, this event is a huge opportunity to showcase our campus and, extend its positive impact to the larger High Point community. Here, we will dive into how the Big South Tournament is almost guaranteed to bring about positive change, not only for HPU but for the entire local community.      Again, hosting the Big South Tournament is not only about basketball; it's about putting our campus on the map. the tournament unfolding on our court will provide a platform for HPU to shine nationally. The heightened visibility provides us with a chance to show off not only our athletic ability but the culture that defines our university. Prospective students, families, and visitors will be able to see the thriving campus community that HPU has created for its...

  People suck.  Okay, maybe that came off a little wrong. But I work in retail, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. All I do all day is talk to people. And most of them do in fact, suck. I won't name exactly where I work but it's a small store where you can find a little bit of everything, kind of like Dollar General, a lot of what you want, none of what you need. Luckily, none of the grief I get comes from my co-workers, whom I love.  It all comes down to, you, the customers.  While many people come in and don't need assistance for their browsing, pick-ups, and quick drop-ins, some particularly difficult people come in. At least once per shift, I am yelled at, disrespected, and threatened with a call to corporate, which isn't really a threat by the way, I do not care about keeping this job at all and I certainly don't get paid enough to put up with the tantrums of full-grown adults. Like the time an older woman had finished her shopping, walked up to the self-checkout li...

HPU's Shift From University To Resort By: Lauren Rollins      During my lengthy college search, I wanted to find a campus that felt like a home away from home. Ultimately, I chose High Point University because of its proximity to my family and how they seemed to care for students here. But, beneath the surface of its luxurious amenities, there is a mounting concern — is HPU functioning more as s resort? or a community-centered university?      In places like my hometown of Chapel, Hill NC businesses make most of their money during the school year, when students come to the UNC campus and venture out into town for shopping, activities, and good food. It creates a relationship between community businesses and the university, This is exactly what High Point University lacks.       Here at HPU, students are provided with almost every amenity they could want or need, heavily discouraging them from going out into the city of High Point to expl...

  In 2023, 58% of democrats reported that they trusted the media fully followed by 29% of those who identified as independents and a mere 11% of republicans. Polling done by Gallup shows that American’s trust in the media has reached a historic low, with only 32% of the population as a whole saying they have “a fair amount” of confidence in media reports. This decline is particularly pronounced along partisan lines, showcasing a stark contrast in trust levels among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. A fair portion of this distrust can be attributed to who the biggest networks put in front of their cameras and on our screens.  "One area of liberal phenomenon I support is female bi-sexuality -- this apparent increased willingness of girls to bring along a friend. That's a pretty good thing.” This is what conservative Tucker Carlson of Fox News said to Liz Smith in an interview for her New York Post Column.  While comments like these aren’t uncommon in today’s version...