OPINION

Editorial 11/6/2018, 10:53pm

Editorial: Ensuring academic success in minority communities

By Daily Editorial Board

The Minnesota Daily reported in October that the University of Minnesota graduation rates for African American students are relatively low compared to other populations of the student body. From 2013 to 2016, only 58.1 percent of African American students had graduated within six years. These statistics were pulled from the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center, which gave the university an "F" grade in how equitable our campus is for minorities.

Column 11/6/2018, 10:51pm

Ababiy: We need to better protect Minnesota waterways

By Jonathan Ababiy

The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers at Fort Snelling is visually striking. By the time the Minnesota River reaches the Mississippi, it has become an impenetrable green. The northwoods-turned-urban Mississippi River that you would never dare to swim in looks almost clean next to the Minnesota. 

Column 11/4/2018, 10:36pm

Haasch: Turning to TikTok for memes is an inevitability

By Palmer Haasch

TikTok is a Vine-adjacent video platform that allows users to film themselves lip-syncing to songs in short, 15-second clips, which can be shared with other users. Although the app launched in 2016, it only came into its heyday after TikTok’s parent company, the Beijing-based Bytedance, acquired Musical.ly, another app that allowed users to share lip-sync videos. However, along with the merger came Musical.ly’s largely female, U.S.-based teenage user base. 

Column 11/4/2018, 10:36pm

Schneider: Our age group never votes, this is the year to change that

By Ellen Schneider

The importance of voting in the midterms has been shoved down everyone’s throats since early August. Yet I’m not sure the importance of this civic duty is fully understood. And so, here I go, adding to the masses of people telling you that you are fumbling idiot if you do not vote in these elections.

Editorial 11/4/2018, 10:32pm

Editorial: How we can employ a better civic engagement

By Daily Editorial Board

The United States political climate continues to remain as polarized as ever. Fortunately, this rough political climate also continues to promote civic engagement in Americans who, until this point, hadn’t even thought about casting a ballot, let alone voting early, casting an absentee ballot or physically engaging with organizers.

Election 10/31/2018, 11:29pm

Editor's note: How we endorsed

By Daily Editorial Board

Over the past several weeks, the four members of the Minnesota Daily's Editorial Board have interviewed six candidates for state and federal offices. We selected candidates to interview based on polling from several sources, choosing only the top two candidates. Candidates in third-place were not interviewed for endorsements because none were in viable positions that pointed to them being elected. 

Election 10/31/2018, 11:28pm

Editorial: The Minnesota Daily endorses Tim Walz for Governor of Minnesota

By Daily Editorial Board

This year, many of the main campaign issues reflect those of past elections. Housing and living expenses continue to rise in the Twin Cities and in greater Minnesota. Although many solutions may specifically focus on housing itself, there are many factors, like financial burdens, that play into the issue. Factors regarding child care, public transportation, policing and immigration all need to be addressed in order to make Minnesota a more affordable and welcoming place. 

Election 10/31/2018, 11:28pm

Editorial: The Minnesota Daily's endorsement for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District

By Daily Editorial Board

Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District is one of the major urban-centered districts in Minnesota, spanning eastern Hennepin County and parts of Anoka and Ramsey counties. This year, the District’s decade-long representative, Keith Ellison, decided to seek election as Minnesota’s Attorney General. This leaves the door open for challengers across the board. 

Election 10/31/2018, 11:28pm

Editorial: The Minnesota Daily's endorsement for Minnesota House District 60B

By Daily Editorial Board

House District 60B is experiencing change this election cycle, as the first Somali-American legislator Rep. Ilhan Omar, DFL-Minneapolis, has vacated the seat for a chance to represent Minnesota in Congress. This leaves the door open for multiple candidates who, if elected, will be representing over 35,000 residents on the University of Minnesota campus and Augsburg University, as well as the surrounding communities of Cedar-Riverside, Southeast Como and Marcy Holmes.

Letter to the Editor 10/31/2018, 10:50pm

Letter to the Editor: Remember that light will dispel the dark

By Letter to the Editor

During this difficult time, let us take courage from the age-old Jewish adage: “a little bit of light will dispel a great deal of darkness.” It is an indisputable reality. When light and goodness encounter darkness and hate, light and goodness will — without fail — prevail. Let's each dedicate our lives a little more to goodness and kindness, as well as to true and boundless love of our fellow. Take on one additional mitzvah (good deed), so each and every one of us, in our own way, creates a personal space of love and holiness.

Column 10/31/2018, 10:44pm

Ababiy: Our newfound civic energy cannot end at the polls

By Jonathan Ababiy

Voting is crucial for a healthy democracy. But, just as importantly, the civic energy we feel must not end at the polling station. The politicians we elect on Tuesday will disappoint us — they always do — but with the institutions and social movements fueled by our newfound civic energy, we can keep them accountable.  

Editorial 10/28/2018, 9:22pm

Editorial: Don't face midterms alone

By Daily Editorial Board

As midterm season rapidly approaches, it’s important to efficiently and effectively prepare for exams and practice self-care. Tackling midterms is easier with the right support, and this is your reminder to seek help when it is needed.The University of Minnesota offers tools and resources to help you both academically and mentally. Here are some of the most useful resources on campus. 

Column 10/28/2018, 9:22pm

Haasch: Despite attacks on their civil rights, transgender and intersex people still exist

By Palmer Haasch

Last week, The New York Times broke news of a memo from the Department of Health and Human Services. In the memo, the department argued in favor of a unilateral definition of gender determined “on a biological basis that is clear, grounded in science, objective and administrable.” The department furthered in the memo that individuals would be defined as strictly male or female, gender would be determined by “immutable biological traits” (i.e., genitalia and other sex characteristics), and gender was unchangeable unless proven otherwise by genetic evidence. 

Column 10/25/2018, 7:36am

Ababiy: Government inaction is pushing independent small businesses out of Dinkytown

By Jonathan Ababiy

"Every business tries to stay here as long as possible," said Jason Davis, co-owner of Dinkytown Optical, a business that has been operating in its namesake neighborhood for 45 years. The shop just finished a stint in the half-timbered, decaying building at 1300 SE. 4th St. known for its Bob Dylan mural. In July, Dinkytown Optical and four other long-time businesses had to vacate the building; many of their signs still hang above the empty storefronts.