A privilege is a right given to a particular group or person that leaves outside groups or people at a disadvantage. As a white woman, I have realized recently that not everyone understands this concept, nor do all choose to accept that white privilege has ruined how our generation, and past…

As gender reveal parties continue to rise in popularity, the announcement displays have become increasingly inventive — and significantly more dangerous. One such gender reveal party is now the cause of wildfire raging through thousands of acres in San Bernardino, California.

The pandemic isn’t over, and chances are it won’t be over for a while. People like anti-maskers and reopen America protesters have always slowed recovery from the pandemic, but even those who follow the rules and listen to the government are also guilty. 

Before students returned to campus for the fall semester, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign announced that all university students living on campus, faculty and staff are required to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week. SIUE should do the same. 

Last week, Expect Us protesters donned T-shirts with ‘bloody’ handprints and dipped their hands in red paint to symbolize the impact tough-on-crime legislation would have on communities of color. When looking back on decades of similar rhetoric in the United States, and its corresponding law…

Despite colleges and universities across the country reopening with revised learning models and various forms of online instruction, COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire. Here’s our message to college students: If you really care about your friends, stop exposing them to the effects of your p…

Madison Lammert, editor-in-chief

College takes time, patience and dedication. So does parenthood.

After managing to flatten the curve for a few weeks, COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are on the rise again. This time, young adults are the primary age group becoming infected. When browsing social media, it’s easy to see why. 

With protests continuing two months after George Floyd’s death, many are coming out in defense of police, sometimes when officers are not even being personally attacked. Some are saying, “not all cops are like that” and using snappy little slogans such as “back the blue,” while others are ra…

As unprecedented restrictions have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, many voters are wondering how they’ll place their ballot come election day this November. Thankfully, residents of Illinois stand with 33 other states that don’t require excuses to receive mail-in absentee ballots, a pri…

Donald Trump certainly wasn’t the first celebrity to become president of the United States, nor was he the first to even run. However, with the rise of technology and the increasing popularity and influence of celebrities in society, we shouldn’t be blindly throwing our votes at politically …

As the younger generation comes of age, the problematic past of the entertainment industry they grew up with is facing immense backlash. The latest target is Shane Dawson, a YouTuber, whose comedy should not only be questioned but disavowed entirely.

Peaceful protests are protected by the First Amendment, and we at The Alestle believe such demonstrations are an important part of demanding equality and respect for all. Those practicing this right should not be threatened for doing so.

As debates rage surrounding the founding of the U.S. and the fate of long-standing institutions of racism, June 19 was a day of celebration for African Americans. It’s past time we ditch racially charged holidays such as Columbus Day and opt for making Juneteenth a federal holiday instead.

As George Floyd’s death has sparked international protests, social justice issues seem to be on the forefront of many people's minds. As a result, some of us may be hearing parents or older relatives expressing outdated or problematic thoughts. 

I was a soldier in my youth and I can distinctly remember a training event geared to mentally prepare us for combat. A grizzled sergeant told us, “None of you are Rambo. That does not exist. When the bullets start flying, you will not rise to the occasion. You will sink to the level of your …

All sexual assaults are not OK, regardless of who the perpetrator is. The truth is that anyone can be a sex offender, and their age, gender or level of attractiveness does not change that sexual assault is a heinous act.

In the wake of public outcry regarding injustices faced by the Black community, there has been a spike in activity regarding the destruction of Confederate monuments. 

Although protesting is a right guaranteed to all citizens of the United States, it is important to ask ourselves, “Is the meaning of the movement being lost?”

Abuse takes three main forms: physical, emotional and verbal; These three types of abuse can be broken down further into numerous subcategories. One of the most impactful subcategories of abuse is narcissistic abuse, which commonly occurs under the umbrella of emotional abuse.

Last week, our staff discussed why journalists should not be prevented from doing their jobs when covering protests. We understand there have been instances where protesters take physical action against the media, and, as seen in our last staff editorial, we acknowledge this. However, this w…

As protests have erupted across the country, journalists from small and large outlets alike have stepped up to provide coverage of the events, putting themselves at personal risk; some have been met with being arrested or targeted by violence.

After months of being unable to visit our favorite retail stores, having many of our friends far away and worrying about our income being in jeopardy — if it hasn’t been lost all together — many of us are craving a taste of normalcy. With many restaurants opening their dining rooms soon, it’…

Living in the midst of a pandemic is far from what we consider normal, but maybe it’s time for a new normal. This is our chance to acknowledge the areas of our day-to-day lives that need improvement.

I began going to music festivals my senior year of high school, beginning with the now-dead local LouFest. Since then, I have gone to Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta for other festivals, such as Shaky Knees, in Atlanta. After my first experience, I could not wait to go again.

A few weeks ago, our staff editorial centered around the importance of helping to flatten the curve. At the time, the first infant death related to COVID-19 was just reported in Cook County, Illinois. While certainly many were concerned about their futures and staying healthy, we still neede…

Like many students, the COVID-19 pandemic has left our staff feeling like we lack control over many facets of our lives. We’re all struggling with a lack of normalcy. While staying in your pajamas sounds like a good plan, getting dressed when you wake up can help bring back some of that norm…

If we, as a country, are unready to raise the national minimum wage overall, then why don’t we start by raising the minimum wage for essential workers?

COVID-19 is on everyone’s mind, and that won’t be changing anytime soon, but that shouldn’t keep us from learning from the experience.

Most people agree the short-term basic income being called for by the U.S. government is a good measure — so why not extend it to a long-term good measure?

The rapid spread of COVID-19 and increasing numbers of associated casualties has driven President Donald Trump to extend the national guidelines for shutdown to April 30. For those who are ignoring stay-at-home orders and continue to associate with large groups of people, please stop. Trust …

The measures taken against the spread of COVID-19 have ensured Spring 2020 will be unlike any other semester — not just for SIUE, but for most schools in the U.S. 

In the midst of complete uncertainty and panic, it can be hard for us as college students to look beyond our own fears and frustrations. Some of us are booking cheap flights as a distraction, while others are checking Blackboard every five minutes for updates. No matter what coping method we…

When I was with my family in England over winter break, I found an envelope of family photographs which dated back to the last years of the Victorian era. I sat on the floor at the foot of my 102-year-old great-grandmother’s chair. She still knew every name of every person I asked her about,…

SIUE students should be allowed to work on campus over the summer without being required to enroll in summer courses.

Being sick in college can be difficult, especially when professors have harsh attendance policies.

The job of a police officer is to threaten people. They carry with them the threat of punishment enforced by the government for anyone who is caught breaking a law. If you don’t act in a certain way around police, the police will use physical force against you and get away with it.

This year’s Oscars honored individuals and films from around the world but still lacked diversity in some important categories, pointing to more progress that needs to be made.

Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day by having candle-lit dinners or watching romance movies. No matter how you celebrate, there should be no explanation needed for why you don’t –- or won’t –- spend this upcoming holiday with a romantic partner. 

Let’s be real for a second: You probably don’t look as hot as you do in your Tinder profile pictures as you on any average day. Whether you’re looking for a quick hookup or something “real,” we all comb through our camera roll to find the perfect pictures. It’s standard practice, it’s human …