The Optimist
You are here: Home / Opinion

Students should engage in local music scene

by

Local music scenes have a huge impact on the culture of an area. The art of music brings people closer together. The Abilene scene is one that is heavily influenced by young adults, thanks to the many high schools, colleges and universities in the area. But it does not stop there. There are several all-ages places for students to enjoy local ... [Read More…]

From Barbie to ballots – why its ok to vote like your parents

by

In 2004, I went to an outdoor rally for former President George W. Bush in Albuquerque. I remember that I was cold and that my dad bought me hot chocolate. I have no idea what Bush talked about. But I remember writing in my Barbie diary that it wasn't fair that 8-year-olds couldn't vote. I couldn't wait to be 18 so I could support Bush just like my ... [Read More…]

Will the real slim shady please sit down, at least until chapel is over

by

When you take a quick look around Moody on a weekday at 11:15 a.m., you'll quickly find that the interest level in Chapel is low. It's no secret that 50 percent of those attending are only focused on their smart phones and have no interest in what goes on down on the floor. Then there is the 25 percent engrossed in a conversation to decide what ... [Read More…]

Video games hold benefits for students

by

Video-games are often dismissed as child's-play, it should be acknowledged that there are real benefits to engaging in virtual reality. All college students should take some time to unwind and interact with the gaming community. With ACU recently adding a competitive video-game, namely Super Smash Bros., to the list of intramural sports, ... [Read More…]

Please Use The Nearest Exit

by

From the moment you stepped foot on this campus, you were told over and over of the ACU Mission: to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. Through this, you have been told repeatedly of the various culture groups around campus and why you should join. That you should learn about another's culture, so that you ... [Read More…]

Star Wars, humility and life after ACU

by

A college graduate-to-be is like Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, standing on a ledge with stormtroopers closing in and blasters firing. For most college seniors, in their final days as a student, the stormtroopers represent the impending graduation date, and the abyss represents the immediate unknown future. We're all faced with a choice: to ... [Read More…]

A note on Valentine’s Day, after the fact

by

"Look at all the things no one will be buying us," I said to a friend as I gestured to a table full of stuffed bears and candy hearts. That was only a few days after New Years, but alas, the omens of Valentine's Day have vanished faster than Abilene's winter weather and just in time to make room for shamrocks and green tinted foods. I am not ... [Read More…]

Tough majors are a gift

by

Last week Brittany Jackson wrote a column titled "Why college journalism is the toughest thing I've done." That week she spent countless hours working on the 24-page, Sing Song edition of the Optimist. You too may feel like you're drowning in your major, or maybe your loans, and you also have a list of why it's so hard. But whether you think ... [Read More…]

Apple is right to deny FBI demand

by

The ongoing fight between the government and technological companies has blown up with the recent FBI demand that Apple create a software to hack into a dead criminal's iPhone. Apple denied the command and made the right decision in doing so. The repercussions could be too big if they help the FBI crack the phone's code. The iPhone belonged ... [Read More…]

You are here: Home / Opinion