Opinion

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Letter to the Editor: Arguments in 'Affirmative action in higher ed reinforces racial discrimination' piece flawed

There are so many issues with the March 31 “Action Project: Affirmative action in higher ed reinforces racial discrimination” piece that it would take thousands of words to dissect every sentence and paragraph. Although I understand what the writers were attempting to say – that America needs to reform public K-12 education to level the playing field for all students – but dragging affirmative action into the conversation is both ignorant and far from the problem.

No country for recycled affirmative action pieces

In a world where too many anti-affirmative action pieces begin with an out-of-context quote from a civil rights leader—specifically Martin Luther King, Jr., and even more specifically “I Have a Dream”—I stand: one of the 1,209 Black-identified students on this campus of 43,275 enrolled in the university. That’s 2.8 percent; even broader, there are 6,243 identified minorities total, accounting for 14.4 percent of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I stand as the only person of color on the Cardinal’s Editorial Board, and one of the few minorities on the entire staff.

Action Project: Navigating the college journey in the game of 'Life'

With the Badger men’s basketball team headed to the Final Four Saturday, we can’t help but gloat about how awesome it is to be a Badger. This is a time to join in the collective soul of the student body. While our time at college is only a stop on the gameboard, being a Badger is for “Life.” We’re super cheesy, we know. But hey, this is Wisconsin.

Action Project: Computer coding education increases in importance

I recently asked a friend what she thinks will be the most useful language to know in the future. Her answer? A computer coding language. Although it wasn’t the answer I was looking for, it makes sense.

Action Project: MOOCs remain a debated form of college education

Moving from a traditional lecture hall setting to an online digital classroom is a phenomenon that those in higher education are consistently debating.

Action Project: Affirmative action in higher ed reinforces racial discrimination

The tireless and honorable efforts of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. to promote racial equality in the United States can be summed up with one of his most famous quotes: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” This quote should summarize where we should be in the United States today regarding race; however, a policy meant to move us in Dr. King’s direction in fact hinders us. This policy is affirmative action in higher education.

Action Project: Job insecurity skews value of college degree

Increasing job insecurity in an unstable economy makes getting a college degree a double-edged sword: the financial investment is a risk that may not pay off, but at the same time, without a degree there are few secure and potentially fulfilling career options.

Letter to the editor: Response to ethnic studies requirement

Spencer Lindsay's opinion piece, "The Ethnic Studies Requirement Should Go" is both inaccurate and counter-productive to a goal of improving cultural competence, equity, and diversity at UW Madison.

Language exploration expands cultural knowledge among learners

The Daily Cardinal endorses Leland Pan for county board

Two years ago, Leland Pan beat John Magnino for the District 5 seat on the Dane County Board of Supervisors. This time around, Pan is up against College Democrats former Chair Chris Hoffman. The District 5 seat, typically held by a University of Wisconsin-Madison student or recent graduate, represents the campus and surrounding area. Students make up the majority of constituents Hoffman and Pan, both UW-Madison seniors, are vying to represent.

Snowden continues to highlight NSA overreach

Action Project: What is a college degree worth?

The Daily Cardinal is excited to announce its second Action Project Issue, which will hit stands Monday, March 31. The Daily Cardinal Action Project is a series of three issues that are dedicated to investigating under-reported topics in an effort to inform the campus community and spark change.

Russia's Vladimir Putin mimics Machiavelli's 'The Prince'

?Is Putin rational? Yes, just like terrorists are rational. Before 9/11, many people perceived terrorists as crazy maniacs who waived AK-47s and RPGs over their heads, justifying their seemingly irrational deeds under their god’s name. However, now it is acknowledged by most of the people around the world that terrorists are rational because they pursue their specific political or religious goals with deliberate tactics. Just like the initial perceptions of “crazy terrorists,” Putin’s maneuver of occupying Crimea with “unidentified troops” was perceived irrational or too radical. Many individuals assumed the situation would be unraveled by the Western power’s efforts and Russia’s drawback in response to that. However, the situation was carried out in favor of pro-Russian Crimeans and Russia. Just a few days ago, Putin signed the pact annexing Crimea into the Russian Federation in response to the ballot with 93 percent of Crimeans backing the annexation.

Sexual abuse in military ruins heroism

Every American from the time they are born, is taught to have love, or at least respect, for certain aspects of our culture. Some of these include baseball, apple pie, BBQing on the fourth of July and given the wars of the past decade, an appreciation and gratitude for all branches of our military. American soldiers are trumpeted as heroes by our media, and deservedly so. Unfortunately, this heroism is blemished by a vile undertone of sexual abuse.

The ethnic studies requirement should go

Our university has but five core requirements: two classes in quantitative reasoning, two in the communication arts and one ethnic studies course. These are the only five things our campus deems essential for an education, things that every college educated person ought to know. While this may seem like too little, considering the wide range of subjects taught on this campus, one of these requirements seems unnecessary at best, racist at worst. The ethnic studies requirement should be abolished.

Willful ignorance is not a valid excuse

Last summer, I enrolled in a philosophy course here at University of Wisconsin-Madison entitled “Contemporary Moral Issues.” The course, as its name suggests, involved students reading academic papers about rational arguments for the ethical permissibility or unacceptability of a number of policies, such as capital punishment, abortion, voluntary active euthanasia and the consumption of meat produced by factory farms. I came into the class with fairly strong beliefs about most of the subjects, with little expectation of having my mind changed.

Rebranding American exceptionalism

With the ongoing events in Ukraine dominating headlines, we at The Daily Cardinal feel it’s important to take a step back and observe the situation not only in Eastern Europe, but throughout the Middle East and elsewhere, from abroad and, importantly, honest perspective.

The r-word continues to marginalize people with cognitive disabilities

Robbie is a six-year-old kindergartner at a Madison school. He loves all things Disney, will embrace any opportunity he can get to show you his Spongebob backpack and will pout excessively when you end his Dora the Explorer episode early. If you offer him a hug, you can be sure to get a long, sloppy kiss on the cheek with it. By many standards, Robbie is a typical kindergartner with the lone exception being he has Down syndrome.

Education progression relies on technology

If you’re reading this, chances are you are educated and come from a relatively well off family. Maybe you are reading this on a phone or tablet that you own. It is also very likely that this access to technology and the learned ability to effectively wield its power gives you a better chance to be economically successful, politically acute and socially adept.  

Letter to the Editor: Madison Common Council actions must be better scrutinized

While I appreciate Patricia Johnson’s coverage of the buffer zone ordinance aimed at pro-life free speakers in Madison (see March 10th, 2014 issue), it appears that Ms. Johnson was not aware of an important recent development in the case when she wrote the piece.