Alps Experience
July 23, 2019
We may not be able to reverse climate change, but we have to try our best to no longer contribute. For our mountain’s sake. Earlier this month, I had the privilege to attend a summer abroad program in France with the University of Grenoble-Alpes. The name of this program was Mountains on the Move,...
Restorative Justice Through Education
Edwin Gramajo, Opinions Editor
July 23, 2019
Currently, about 2.3 million people are being held in the U.S criminal justice system. Many of these people will eventually be released therefore it would be better for society to educate them academically as much as possible. NEIU has been doing its part. In May, seven students incarcerated in Stateville...
In the shoes of Theresa Wirtz
Ankush Vyas, Online Editor
July 23, 2019
Don’t be so quick to judge others. Theresa Wirtz is a Minneapolis based artist born in New Orleans, but raised in the United Kingdom by American parents. She designs jewelry from various naturally occurring elements such as gemstones, crystals and metals. She also invents authentic spa products. She operates her craft under the pseudonym Dovim...
On the birth of our nation: A Letter to the Editor
July 23, 2019
Unknown to many, the first patriot casualty of the Revolutionary War was a mulatto person, Crispus Attucks, part American Indian and part Negro, killed by a British Redcoat at the Boston Massacre. In Boston, after our Independence, a statue of Crispus Attucks and three other Boston Massacre patriot protestors...
My farewell letter to The Independent
Robert Kukla, Arts & Life Editor
June 6, 2019
When I first entered the room E049 during the fall 2018 semester, I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I was looking to gain editing experience for my future career. What I received was a whole lot more. I got to know the staff and together we formed a bond that I had never experienced....
Invasion of illicit drugs in our education system
Ankush Vyas, Online Editor
May 28, 2019
Ultimately, students taking illicit drugs is a genuine issue in light because it not only impacts the individuals in all aspects of life, the effects swell out destroying families due to emotional and financial burden caused by healthcare expenses. Communities and the public in general are also impacted...
Can we work, pause and thrive for parenthood?
Edwin Gramajo, Opinions Editor
May 28, 2019
Many aspects of American parenthood have changed in only a few decades. However, many, if not most of our systems have not changed. Rather they have become more expensive to access. Rent is rising, college tuition is rising and cost of life is rising. Whereas, pay is not. Many companies are built...
A call to action: Support higher education
Edwin Gramajo, Opinions Editor
May 28, 2019
As many of you know NEIU has struggled economically in recent years. Many students, including me, pick NEIU because it is local, affordable and diverse. In order to keep NEIU open we need to have monetary funding and a budget. According the NEIU website “During the FY16-FY18 Illinois budget c...
In the ashes: We need to preserve our cultural landmarks
April 23, 2019
The world has lost another important treasure. On April 15, a fire tore down a big part of Notre Dame Cathedral, located in Paris, one of the oldest and most famous constructions in the world. It took some hours till its substantial destruction, almost one day till the fire was completely extinguished ...
How I learned about sex: Sex Ed Matters
Victoria Hong, Writer
April 23, 2019
One day, in my 9th grade health class, my teacher had us do a condom lab. She split us into groups of four and gave each group a wooden dildo and an unlimited supply of condoms. We spent the hour learning about the different types of condoms available. I learned that some condoms are lubricated and ...
Latinas in the Media: Reclaiming Sexual Agency
Amaris E. Rodriguez, Opinions Editor
April 23, 2019
Latinas: we are strong, intellectual, powerful…and trying to reclaim our sexuality in the media. The concept of an over sexualized Latina is very common in the media, despite many women trying to combat the stereotype. We don’t have to do much digging in Hollywood to think of big household names o...
Girl, Take Control Of Your Birth Control
Amaris E. Rodriguez, Opinions Editor
April 23, 2019
Women are still experiencing the negative social stigma associated with taking charge of their sexual health regarding birth control. The thought might be outdated but I had an experience at the NEIU Student Health Office that reinforced that the stigma is still there, as much as they try to hide...
