When someone asks for examples of iconic fictional couples, there are a few which come to mind. Han Solo and Princess Leia are probably towards the top of the list, with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger not far behind. All four of these characters are as strong-willed as they are independent. Both couples respect and love one another for who they are, even if their … Continue reading The impact of TV relationships

She was unconscious. They took videos and laughed for six hours. She was sexually assaulted, dragged around naked, and photographed. They were released early from their one and two year long sentences in a juvenile detention center. She was ridiculed online by classmates, town members, and people around the country for her character and her decisions to attend a party and consume alcohol. They were … Continue reading A ‘Second Chance’ in College Football

This is my last column with The Gustavian Weekly. It has been my greatest joy to contribute to our humble college paper. I am so grateful to our loyal readers (hi Mom and Dad), and to Gustavus for providing a platform for student expression. How wonderful it is to take part, in some small way, in the proud tradition of a free press! In times … Continue reading “You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train”

I am not a Star Wars guy. I like the movies, don’t get me wrong, but for me (trigger warning advised) they are nothing more than action-packed hours of splish-splash with laser infused swords. I am, however, truly fascinated by outer space. Part of the interest is owed to my brother, Gareth, who graduated from college with degrees in physics and astronomy. He graduated when … Continue reading Let’s figure out our crap and move to Mars

Many people have varied ideas on what is best for themselves and the collective health of humanity. It is because of these varied ideas and interpretations of those ideas that conflict arises and tensions mount. That is also the reason why it is important to emphasize the role of discourse in how ideas are spread. It is an unfortunate reality that people will often disregard … Continue reading Let’s Engage in Civil Discourse

Spring means stress, sleep deprivation, and a shortage of clothed male students. This week, campus was crawling in male students throwing frisbees, playing campus golf, and studying in the grass all in the absence of shirts. Campus Safety was nowhere to be seen and the general public appeared safe and content. Then, two perceived female students removed their shirts while sitting in the lawn, exposing … Continue reading The Nipple Effect

A young woman dragged a mattress across her campus to protest Columbia University’s mishandling of her sexual assault complaint. A young man at Gustavus Adolphus College was assigned a 500-word essay about consent as punishment for sexual assault. Now, a report was released documenting over fifty years of unpunished sexual abuse committed by twelve faculty members at Choate Rosemary Hall, a small elite boarding school … Continue reading Prison for Victims, Playground for Perps

Socialism is not a viable economic system. I have seen countless articles, posts, and blogs extolling the virtues of socialism while demonizing free-markets. They argue that all the world’s ills are impacted by this “inherent” evil of free-enterprise. Yet, only the opposite has been true throughout modern history. From the failed socialist state known as the USSR, to the more recent example of Castro’s Cuba, … Continue reading Socialism: It’s Not What You Think It Is

Dear White Gusties, if you are looking for a fun, casual, and entertaining way to get educated on racism, I suggest you head to Netflix and turn on the recently released Netflix original “Dear White People.” The show revolves around protagonist Samantha White, host of radio talk show, “Dear White People”, at Winchester University, a generic, private, Ivy League institution. Opening with the aftermath of … Continue reading Dear White Gusties

In the early 1990s in Rwanda, a popular radio station backed by Hutu extremists began broadcasting racist propaganda. The country was submerged in hateful rhetoric which denigrated the Tutsi minority as inyenzi, meaning cockroach. Leading up to the genocide that resulted in 800,000 deaths, the Rwandan newspapers published pictures that depicted Tutsis as cockroaches and snakes. When the killings began, Hutus were incited to “crush … Continue reading “You Knew Damn Well I Was A Snake…”