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4 Monday, January 12, 2009 | The Red & Black Carolyn Crist | Editor in Chief editor@randb.com Chelsea Cook | Managing Editor me@randb.com Shannon Otto | Opinions Editor opinions@randb.com Our Take Majority opinions of The Red & Black’s editorial board Grab a megaphone Students should be inspired by their peers to take a stand on larger issues As student journalists in a ‘small Southern town, it’s an exciting day when we can localize world issues. We often face the dilemma of covering a fan tastic story idea and needing to find a way to relate it to our community and our readers effectively and meaningfully. But today, an issue that dominates headlines in The New York Times the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian conflict visits the front page of The Red & Black for reasons that should inspire all of us. Here’s to senior Shireen Judeh, sophomore Yasmin Yonis, senior Hadas Peles and junior Zaid Jilani for not only taking action toward a cause they are passionate about, but realizing that even small voices can resonate in our soci ety. Although their cause is more than 63,000 miles away, these students, and thousands like them, are standing up for what they think is right. Though the genocide-like attacks in Palestine are more tangible for people such as Judeh, who is of Palestinian-Ame'rican descent, it cannot be ignored that she and her megaphone alone will not save a life. But she shouts anyway. These students have participated in rallies in Athens and Atlanta, places where they are sig nificant minorities, but that fact only fuels this fire. For some, there are moral obligations. As humans, there is nothing we can do to jus tify an innocent death. But standing up for them, and honoring their life in your own is not only comforting, but progressive. Their reasoning is one that should be the cor nerstone of any unjust matter. Even if a small protest by the Arch isn’t rec ognized by the media (but it should be. Call us!), it may spark one passerby to Google the issue and form his own opinion. This, in itself, is a victory. So let these four students and the thousands like them the Joan of Arcs, the Ghandis, the Harvey Milks, the Malcom Xs and the Gloria Steinems of the world —be a microcosm for one of our upmost responsibilities of living. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Our lives begin to end the moment we become silent about things that matter.” Chelsea Cook for the editorial hoard Slackers no more To those of you who could just never make it to class , we don't appreciate it Before the semester really takes off, The Red & Black’s editorial board would like to say a big, heartfelt “thank you” to all the students who are too cool for school. And by “too cool” we mean, “don’t care about and didn’t go” to school. It is because of your lack of interest and gen eral absence from class that we all must pay the consequences. This semester, it seems more and more departments, and subsequently the professors, are instituting stricter attendance policies. Gone are the days when professors would turn a blind eye and not care if students went to class. Gone are the “you are adults and you make your own decisions. If you don’t want to attend class, that is your prerogative,” policies. Now, we’re subjected to the “three-absences and you’re dropped” or the “lose a point on your final average for every absence after three” speeches. For these new policies, we thank you. Now, we’re required to go to class all the time, or risk losing HOPE or failing. We can’t take the occasional mental day to recharge, like other college students. We no longer have the luxury of not being harassed by professors about whether we go to class or not. We liked having the decision of attending class entirely in our hands. And now, thanks to all of you, it’s not. The professors now have that power. We thought we had left behind the archaic high school system of attendance policies when we entered college, but apparently, some of you just weren’t ready for the real world yet. And now we’re all paying the consequences. Michael Fitzpatrick for the editorial board Opinions expressed in The Red a Black are the opinions ol the writers and not necessarily those ot The Red and Black Publishing Company Inc. AH rights reserved. Reprints by permission ol the editors. NEWS: 706-433-3002 News Editor: JoAnn Anderson Sport* Editor: Jason Butt Variety Editor: Cameron Hubbard Photo Editor: Waites Laseter Design Editor*: Cady Baker Out ft About Editor: Whitney Kessler Online Editor: A.J. Baumann Chief Copy Editor*: Tahni Segars, Kelly Shaul Editorial Cartoonist: Bill Richards Recruitment Editor: Tamara Best Associate News Editor: Hayley Peterson Editorial Adviser: Ed Morales Editorial Assistant: Megan Otto Senior Reporters: Kristen Coulter, Brian Hughes Staff Writers: Katie Andrew, Rusty Bailey, E. John Barrett, Kayla Beck, Brittany Binowski, Rachel Bowers, Jessica Brown, Helen Burdette, Daniel Burnett, Caltlln Byrnes, Brittany Cofer, Angela Dasher, Ryne Dennis, Marianne English, Mimi Ensley, Tyler Estep, Shanessa Fakour, Michael Fitzpatrick, Briana Gerdeman, Vivian Giang, Sara Goodman, Manlk Gupta, Raisa Habersham, Vincent Hampton, Christina Khourl, Laurie McGowan, Carey P. O'Neil, Fletcher Opinions ggjggjSJ*- HUBSBS LWe for wsk. iris Tie "keel m isgß ■■mn Loving the freedom to do her own thing This one’s for all my fellow commitment-phobes out there. Let’s get something right out into the open: I haven’t been in a relationship that’s lasted more than a year. I haven’t found the person I’m head-over-heels, want-to-spend-the-rest-of-my-life-with in love with. So it may seem pretty obvious why I’m writing a so-called “anti-young marriage” column. I don’t want to throw out a bunch of statistics because those are gener ally pretty meaningless when they concern peo ple’s feelings. But let’s take another look at the situation. My Facebook Friends page has been flooded lately with relationship statuses changed to “Engaged.” But if the thought of donning a white gown and veil makes you gasp for breath (in a hyperventilating sort of way), know that you’re not alone. We’re 20, 21, 22 years old. Soon, it’ll be our first time in 17 years without papers, tests and homework. Once we’re out of school, diplomas in hand, we can do anything we want. This decade of our lives is supposed to be one huge, indecisive blur. We can move anywhere and do any thing before our 30s come crashing down on us, and we’re supposed to do responsible things like take out a mortgage and actually settle down in one job. Want to move to Hong Kong? Go ▼ j for it! —. Thinking about taking a job with a start-up company that could come crashing down? Why not? If you’re already settled down, it’s easier to forgo the opportunities that make life more interest ing. It’s easy relatively speaking for one person to pick up and move to, say, Italy, for a job. But add another person (who probably already has a job), and perhaps a kid or two, into the mix, and the situation gets much more dicey. I couldn’t be happier for my friends who have found the person they want to spend the rest of their lives with. But I just hope everyone who’s married or soon-to be-hitched takes the time to have adventures and do crazy things before they settle down in one place. If there are things you want to see and do in the world, don’t feel like you have to give up the oppor tunity because you’re too busy planning a wedding or saving for your future kids’ college funds. We have the rest of our lives to have a family and work the 9-to-5 grind every day. That being said, there’s no “right age” to get mar ried. And I’m sure there are women out there who can maintain total independence while married. But if you know you’re not one of those girls, don’t be in any hurry to get married because you feel like you should. Believe me, we still have plenty of years until we’re officially considered “spinsters.” Someday, you’ll find your very own Ne-Yo —a man who appreciates a woman who does her own thing and doesn’t need his help. OK, that was a pretty lame pop culture reference, but (hopefully) you get the point. I’m in no rush. Shannon Otto is the opinions editor for The Red & Black. She wants any future potential boyfriends to know that she does eventually want to get married. Our Staff Page, Mercedes Parham, Nick Parker, Michael Prochaska, Wynn Sammons, Ashley Sanders, Courtney Smith, Miranda Starrii Tiffany Stevens, Marie Uhler Chief Photographer: Daniel Shkey Photographers: Renee Aylworth, Jason Broom, Jake Daniels, Jim Diffly, Frannie Fabian, Travis Hunt, Blake Lipthratt, liana McQuinn, Lesley Onstott Design Desk: Christopher Anthony, Lauren Bellamy, Matt Brandenburgh, Katie Gasner, Melanie McNeely, Thomas Nesmith, Haley Temple in the Classic City Sx* Shannon Otto Fighting her fear of satin, bridal mags As University seniors, there are many costumes we don during our last semester. For the role of the Entry-Leveler, tailored pants and a blazer complete the interview-for-the-first-job look. For the Graduate, a black cap and long gown that offers no perspiration relief suffices during the out door graduation ceremony. But shortly after I toss my cap and put my gown aside, I’ll put on a different gown —one that’s white, sparkly and not too long so I don’t trip. Yes, I’ll be tak ing the role of the Bride, and in addition to school, work and finding a job, I’ll be getting over my fear of bridal magazines to plan a wedding. The bridal role is one I’ve loathed openly, because I was never into the dream wedding fantasy. I never understood the need for 27 different brides maids (the putrid dresses in that Katherine Heigl movie were a little scary), Save-the-Date photos or his ’n’ her towels. I couldn’t care less about any of that after four years of dating, because none of that buttercream glitz is important to me. But it is a path I’m willing to navigate into because I’m ready for marriage. I’ve heard more than my fair share of different reactions to this fact, which range from ik. “Congratulations!” (thank you) to “Are you sure you’re sure?” (yes, Mom) to “OMG, you’re pregnant!” (absolutely not, but thanks for X your concern). J At age 21, I’m often placed in the “too- J young-too-nalve” category for many things, and marriage is definitely at the top of the list. And I know that the statistics for young marriage aren’t so hot according to 2004 Census data, of people ages 25 to 29 who had married, 63 per cent of men and 59 percent of women are divorced. But there are many positive things about young marriage that are often left out of the polls. Marrying young allows you to spend your adventur ous years together with the person you love. As Harry tells Sally in their eponymous 1989 movie, “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” Waiting to marry after I’ve saved for a first mort gage or for my future children’s college fund wastes the precious time I have to spend traveling the world, trying out new jobs and spending quality time togeth er with the person I love. Marrying young also allows for ample time to plan for a family. My fiance and I know that kids will not be in the picture anytime soon, but we’ll have plenty of time to change our minds because we’re getting a head start on our future together. But the truth of the matter is, I don’t think there is a “right” age to get married. To have a single poll or columnist tell you what is right for your love life doesn’t allow much room for freedom. Marriage —and young marriage isn’t for every one. But for those of you who, like me, are going to take the plunge, I’m there with you and I salute nay, toast you. Now only if I could figure out how to combat my fear of satin and tulle to buy my wedding, I’ll be in good shape. i * Jo Ann Anderson is the editor for The Red & Black. She’s slowly getting over her fear of bridal magazines. Edltpriai board members include Shannon Otto, Chelsea Cook, Carolyn Crist, Kelly Shaul and Drew Wheatley. ADVERTISING: 706433-3001 Advertising Director: Natalie Mitchell Student Ad Manager: Claire Scully Territory Managers: David Allen, Chris Merville. Julie Turner Account Executives: Stacey Friedman, Jennifer Milazzo, Jade Walter Sale* Associates: Katherine Blackstad, Alia Chemnet, Andrew Cole, Lindsay Davies, Matt Gongtach, Catherine Merritt, Pamela Peterson, Jennifer Rooks Classified Manager: Erin Beasley Classified Advisers: Kristen Coulter, Amanda Goforth, Carey O'Neil Advertising Assistants: Emmy Bateman, Stacey Joseph, Phone (706) 433-3002 | Fax (706) 433-3033 opinions@randb.com | www.redandblack.com 540 Baxter Street, Athens, Ga. 30605 fha JoAnn Anderson Cambri Steadman Production Manager: Sam Pittard Assistant Production Manager: Julie Leung Production Staff: Gary Bardizbanian. Priscilla Kathe Lauren Leschper. Leslie Mintz Receptionist: Erin Beasley Assistant Office Manager: Lauren Albert Office Manager: Mary Straub Publisher: Harry Montevideo The Red * Black is published Monday through Friday tat and spring semesters and each Thursday summer semester, except holi days and exam periods, by The Red i Black Publishing Company Inc., a non-profit campus newspaper not affiliated with the University ol Georgia. Subscription rate: $195 per year