Observer Department: Editorial

Pandemic robs student athletes of a season

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Almost all of the college sports seasons were either suspended, if they were already in play, or cancelled, if they had yet to start, by mid March. This had many far-reaching implications on many people, academic institutions, and corporations that relied on these sports for either entertainment or revenue. Many…

When will it end?

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It’s been close to two months now since students were sent home from Northern Essex Community college. Most of these students have been confined to their houses, save for a few trips to the grocery store. A lot of them, a-lot of everybody, are starting to get just a little…

Observer Editor-in-Chief bids adieu

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The first article I ever wrote was published in the Observer on October 18, 2017. The shortest of my portfolio, it nonetheless banished any doubt in my mind about my path and what I was setting out to accomplish.  I want to write, and I want to publish my work.…

Meme mania as politics grapples with social media

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The rise of social media may prove to have one of the largest impacts on politics of our age. Though rallies and advertisements continue to be staples of campaigning, and are not likely to become outmoded any time soon, the Internet has become a priceless means of engagement with both…

Fake hate crimes deepen divide

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The recent staged hate crime organized by Jussie Smollett is but the latest symptom of a disturbing trend in the current cultural and political environment. Disproportionately experiencing these fake hate crimes are college campuses around the country.  The BBC reports that a “Chicago judge has said that if true, the…

Trump delivers a stately address

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Not once, but a few times bellows of “USA USA” echoed across the floor of Congress, at times with voices from both sides of the aisle. While this bipartisan jubilance might easily be mistaken for a conciliatory moment, the State of the Union Address was the setting of the scene…

Gillette’s commercial gets it wrong

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In rapid fire sequence, the words “bullying,” “metoo,” and “toxic masculinity” are rattled off as news reports play in the background. From a filmmaking standpoint, this opening is an effective and concise summary of the message of Gillette’s controversial advert “The best a man can be,” but it also betrays…

Learning to love the grind

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The end of the semester is here. After many sleepless nights, last-minute scrambles and outstanding pieces of writing and presentation, we can all take a deep breath. As the semester ends, and the next one comes into focus, it’s time to rest, take stock, and prepare to overcome whatever challenges…

Organize, prioritize, accomplish

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  At the heart of being an effective student, in my experience, is three words, which are Focus, Prioritize, Accomplish. While this credo might be a bit simplistic for some more complicated situations, at very least I’ve found these rules to be a useful place to start when I find…

CNN anchor jumps the shark

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On Monday the 29th of October, CNN anchor Don Lemon sparked an outrage when he made comments on air that asserted that the greatest terror threat in the country is white men. According to the Washington Post, the comment in question was “... we have to stop demonizing people and…