By Paul Twardock Danger can stare us in the face Or silently stalk, Hidden in its smallness. That which is apparent, Our body can react to: Fight or flight. That which is hidden Can whisper uncertainty And conspiracy in our mind, If we allow it.
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The U.S.-Mexico Border and its Role in Race, Citizenship, and Belongingness
By Sara Hinojosa 16-year-old, Valentina sat across from me. She was in the midst of her journey from Colombia to Utah and was eager to ask all about life in America. Her questions were shaped by the American life she’s seen in movies. She asked about American music, high school, and if I’d ever been surfing in California. Her eagerness almost completely disguised her fear and exhaustion that came from the journey that had already been in motion for many months. She didn’t say much about the home she left in Columbia, but she talked a lot about where she was heading. She and her family hoped to make it…
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Come out
“This is the police you can come out now, the intruder is gone,” the man’s voice said from behind my locked bathroom door. I was relieved until I remember that I hadn’t had time to call the cops.
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Exploring Faith
By Sara Hinojosa I had always known a God. My father was raised Catholic, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen him in a Catholic church. My mother, on the other hand, is a devout Christian and raised my older siblings in church. Their faces were well known in the community and some of their closest friends were made at Sunday schools, youth groups, and Bible studies. They all moved out by the time I was in kindergarten and I couldn’t say when they last stepped into a church building. Maybe a wedding or a funeral. I came into the picture much later and never experienced church in the same…
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United States Criminal Justice and Prison Reform: A Call to Action
By Suann R. Endicott In the 1980s, the Reagan Administration declared a War on Drugs which has led to mass incarceration. The United States now has the highest incarceration rate and one of the highest recidivism rates in the world (Deady, 2014). I would argue that the War on Drugs has crippled our society and the results have not been positive. What was a well-intentioned plan or admirable goal has had many negative outcomes such as: mass incarceration; social castes individuals are not able to break out of; prisons riddled with violence, abuse, and in-humane treatment of correctional officers and inmates; high recidivism rates; the restriction of basic rights such…
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Genetically Modified Organisms and the Threat of Unknown Dangers
By Suann R. Endicott Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): some people may know about them and some may not. In fact, they can be difficult to learn about. After doing extensive research, I was left with the question: Why does the FDA approve foods like GMO’s with only the studies provided by the companies that manufacture them and without any independent reviews, even from their own scientists? Furthermore, why won’t the biotechnology companies allow independent studies of their products? Lastly, why are the big corporations against labeling products that have GMO’s? Doesn’t “gene-editing” feel like the GMO industry is playing God with our food? It does to me. Essentially, a…
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Voices
By Sara Hinojosa My mother called for me from downstairs. When I walked down to respond, I heard the same voice whisper from behind a closed door: Don’t go down there—I heard it too.
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Island of Ghosts
By Raina Panarese The dusky air was heavy as I walked the stony beach on an island filled with ghosts. I found my tent in the fading light and there, luring behind it, was the bear with the blood shot eyes.
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3 Credits Short
By Eric Van Thiel (Class of 2020 2021) I applied for fall graduation for my MBA program last month. Today I received a notice that I was 3 credits short for graduation.
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Visitor
By Manya Montanelli My friend went to my house to pick up something while I was out of town. I live alone, but there was someone in the basement.
