Opinion

OPINION: The new “Gossip Girl” makes no sense

  Last Thursday, the first episode of HBO Max’s “Gossip Girl” reboot premiered and it was … weird. While the hierarchical energy of its predecessor was evident, this new iteration lacked the charm and intrigue that gave the original version from 2007 its massive success. The new series revolves around a group of friends that rule Constance Billard School for Girls, the same school that Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodson ruled 14 years ago. The highly exclusive private institution is riddled with money, drugs and frantic power grabs from anyone and everyone.

OPINION: Systemic racism continues to prevail in U.S. Olympics

  Sha’Carri Richardson, the fastest woman in America, has faced injustice in her month-long suspension at the Olympic Games due to cannabis use, causing her to miss the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics on July 30. By enforcing this suspension, which started on June 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is supporting racist policies and displaying a lack of grace and compassion towards those participating. The test was administered by the U.S Anti-Doping Agency to ensure a level playing field without drug use. However, it is important to note that cannabis is not considered a performance-enhancing drug by The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness; therefore, it should not be a reason to penalize athletes. 

OPINION: Dessert in the desert: Top 5 frozen treat destinations to beat ABQ’s heat

  College students continue to drift lazily through summer break as the heat waves keep rolling in. As Albuquerque’s temperature heads back into the 90s this week, along with lowered COVID-19 restrictions, it’s time to enjoy a sweet treat. Here are the top 5 ice cream and frozen yogurt spots you can find in the city. 5. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt  If you’re looking for something cold but ice cream isn’t the right fit for you, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt is the way to go. This spot is among the best frozen yogurt places in Albuquerque, with over 70 flavors of delicious froyo. Far more refreshing and healthy than ice cream, frozen yogurt is a must-have this summer. 

OPINION: Five remarkable Lobo Olympians of the past

  Every two years, the Olympics gives nations around the world the opportunity to showcase their best athletes, and Lobos from the University of New Mexico have had more than a few chances to shine. Here’s a look at five notable Lobo Olympians from over the years. Cathy Carr Cathy Carr, the only athlete on this list to have an individual medal, holds the distinction of being the first athlete from the University of New Mexico to win an Olympic gold medal in 1972. At the age of 18, Carr won not one, but two gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics in swimming— the first, in the 100 breaststroke and the second, in the 4x100 medley relay.

OPINION: Public schools maintain tight grip on student speech despite recent ruling

  Protection of the First Amendment in high school has long been debated, and the Supreme Court often rules against the protections of the student. This just solidifies the feeling of powerlessness so many teenagers feel by eroding what should be their fundamental rights to free speech and free expression. Facing such a maelstrom, small victories should be celebrated wherever they may come. Last month, one such victory arrived with the news of the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Brandi Levy, a Pennsylvania high school girl whose words — specifically, “fuck school, fuck softball, fuck cheer, fuck everything” — were reaffirmed as protected under the First Amendment.

OPINION: Rainbow capitalism’s performative toxicity

  It’s the month of June again, which means that it’s time for corporations to roll out a newly colorful logo, slap rainbows on their already-existing merchandise and pretend as if they’ve always cared about the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. This shallow attempt at pandering to the LGBTQIA+ community is commonly referred to as rainbow capitalism. Users on the social media app Tik Tok have been quick to point out how out of touch pride collections by several corporations are by making videos that highlight their “interesting” collections. It’s painfully obvious in most cases that no queer person was consulted about the design, resulting in hastily-made and mass-produced products.

OPINION: “In the Heights” is a party, but not everyone got their invitations

  “Technically, it is superb; use of color is dazzling, camera work often is thrilling, editing fast with dramatic punch, production design catches mood as well as action itself.” This quote, written by Whitney Williams in 1961 for Variety heralding the soon-to-be released “West Side Story,” could easily be used to describe “In the Heights,” Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of the 2008 Tony Award-winning smash hit penned by a pre-”Hamilton” Lin-Manuel Miranda. “In the Heights” follows the everyday lives and dreams of inhabitants of Washington Heights, a neighborhood in northern Manhattan. The main protagonist is Usnavi, a bodega owner who dreams of traveling back to his native Dominican Republic. 

OPINION: A Filipino’s modern journey to Independence Day

Philippines Independence Day on June 12 not only commemorates the day the nation was declared as independent from Spanish colonial rule, but also serves as a continual reminder of the struggle for the liberation of Filipinos in America. My family settled into New Mexico in 2008, when I was in third grade. My mom had been living in the state for three years already, working as a nurse, but my dad was still waiting on his visa before he could come to the mainland from Saipan, an island 120 miles north of Guam.

OPINION: Top five places to study on campus

College life is a big adjustment, and although you might be tempted to hole up in your dorm room, the resources on campus for studying are extensive to say the least. If you live on the University of New Mexico’s main campus, check out these top five spots so you can study comfortably.

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LETTER: UNM faculty deserve fair contract from administration before semester ends

It’s an understatement to say that the last 14 months were challenging for educators across New Mexico. As a faculty member in the biology department at the University of New Mexico, I built new online lecture and lab courses in real time to replace face-to-face instruction. I was intent on maintaining quality and substance for the 1,604 UNM students I taught during the pandemic, each of whom were coping with their own struggles. I found it humbling to maintain my professionalism on Zoom, while simultaneously supervising three children in their virtual Albuquerque Public School classrooms.

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OPINION: Disappointing end of the ‘Star Wars’ Skywalker saga has fans wondering what’s next

“Star Wars” has transformed from a three-part film series that began in 1977 with an eponymous first movie to a mammoth franchise spanning several generations. While there is much debate over which film or set of films is best, the one sure thing is that “Star Wars” is a defining icon of the 20th and 21st century. As an avid fan of more than a decade and a dedicated viewer of most things Star Wars, I have to say that over the course of the last five or so years, my excitement and general interest in the films has steadily declined. Unfortunately, the awe I felt watching the first three “Star Wars” films has yet to be rivaled.

REVIEW: “Crying in H Mart:” Finding who you are through what you eat

For musician Michelle Zauner, the death of her mother is her life’s most critical moment, both breaking her from the inside out and propelling her into the most successful period in her career.  In the memoir “Crying in H Mart,” Zauner details her experiences with loss, Korean American identity and how food connects the two. Zauner has years of experience with artistic expression through her music under the alias Japanese Breakfast, and her newcomer status in the world of writing makes this book all the more impressive. Despite this, Zauner makes it look easy, carrying the story of her life with poignant, witty and skillful prose from start to finish.

REVIEW: Stowaway: A meddling contemplation of a complex moral dilemma

This review contains spoilers. If you were stranded on a desert island with three other people with only enough resources for three of you to survive until help arrived, what would you do? This is the question that “Stowaway” seeks to solve. The twist is that instead of an island, you’re in space and instead of discussing all possible options, the filmmakers restrict you to one scenario but throw in a few twists and turns as a treat.  The film opens with the crew taking off on a mission to Mars. We hear the different intercoms from mission control and the crew performing final checks and confirmations before they finally embark on a two year journey to the red planet.

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