Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

The disinvestment of public figures, otherwise known as “cancel culture,” has exploded in popularity in the past decade. Every day there seems to be a new celebrity or politician who has done something the internet deems unacceptable.

For prominent individuals, getting canceled is a PR nightmare. Trending on Twitter and being the subject of gossip columns is enough to impede career opportunities and ruin one’s reputation. For professors and students alike, this fear has harmfully crept its way into academia, leading them to be overly cautious and sometimes not share their thoughts at all.

Cancel culture has its roots in boycotting but fails to be as impactful. The typical cycle is a person will come under fire for their words or actions, ignite social media feeds and disappear from the spotlight for a few months before reappearing. There are few examples of people successfully being “canceled”, and cancel culture fails to properly educate and hold people accountable.

Engagement in the classroom is undeniably important, as it helps students succeed and apply textbook concepts to life. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, classroom participation has transformed from forcing student involvement online to social media becoming a more prominent news and opinion source.

These changes can be both negative and positive. On one hand, some students feel they can flourish and provide alternative viewpoints in discussions. Conversely, others refrain from sharing their opinions and debating with peers.

Improving feelings surrounding free expression begins with the professor and anthropology associate professor Dinah Hannaford agrees with that statement. 

“It is the professor’s responsibility to create an environment in the classroom where students feel comfortable trying out different points of view,” said anthropology associate professor Dinah Hannaford. 

As a simple start, professors should incorporate discussion-based activities into the curriculum and encourage students to share their thoughts. It is most effective, however, for them to lead by example. Setting the tone and subjecting themselves to the initial awkwardness that comes with exploring ideas would take the pressure off of students to initiate these discussions.

Though everyone is timid at the beginning of the semester, it is important to not fall into the trap of silence. Doing so stunts the growth of the class as well as the individual. Encountering new ideas and navigating how to engage with them is one of the main objectives of college, after all.

“Sometimes learning how to think, as a student, involves meeting resistance and having to take on feedback,” Hannaford said. “If you had already been exposed to everything you needed to be exposed to, you wouldn’t need to come to college.”

Cancel culture’s inherent flaw is it does not address the root of any problem, instead creating the issue of many refusing to speak out of fear. Shunning a wrongdoer does not allow them to confront or evolve their belief. Instead, they are cast to the side where they will continue to believe their opinion with an added layer of resentment. While this may work with celebrities and corporations, it goes against the purpose of education.

Legally mandated censorship continues at universities and K-12 schools, understandably causing students and faculty to have reservations about expressing themselves. Increased restrictions only prove how powerful of a tool one’s voice is and should inspire students to be outspoken. There is no reason to assist governing bodies in trying to limit articulation in academia.

Anaya Baxter is an integrated communications junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Cancel culture’s presence in academia is harming students” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Time and time again, it seems every election is deemed the most important of its era. It’s possible that either the country keeps getting worse every four years, or that sentiment is overused. Regardless, America is in a fragile state as necessities continue to be unaffordable, self-autonomy remains denied and our tax dollars actively fund a genocide. 

One would assume that with such high stakes, citizens would be eager to cast their ballots. That is not the case for everyone, whether due to a lack of understanding, burnout from personal circumstances or pessimism.

Neutrality no longer has a place in politics. It has long been a poor excuse that allows personal comfort to override the people’s responsibility to advocate for themselves and others. Now, political indifference stands in the way of Americans exercising their rights to democracy and a fair government.

Heated debates, viral moments and increased media coverage continue as the presidential election draws closer. Despite seemingly endless commentary and media coverage, NBC News reports that only 64% of eligible voters are highly interested in the 2024 election. The study was conducted before President Biden dropped out of the race, bringing nationwide attention to Democratic Nominee Kamala Harris; however, the record low still shows the threat of Americans opting out of political participation.

Eligible voters choosing to skip out on election day is understandable on the surface. Few politicians truly represent the average citizen and even fewer check all the boxes for showcasing agreeable morals. Along with the trying times the past years have presented, hopelessness is an easy path to fall down.

However, a decision will have to be made. Refusing to vote will not fix individual or large-scale problems, nor will it hold officials accountable. In fact, it may lead to the more harmful of the “lesser evils” winning.

Choosing not to vote does not signal to the government that they need to do better, it tells them they can continue to operate as they please without pushback.

At no point in history has effective change come from silence. Boycotts, protests and political engagement bring about change — staying at home does not. Politicians, unfortunately, are not mind readers; for there to be accurate representation and clear reflections of societal values, demands must loudly be declared.

Subscribing to the myth of one vote being unimportant becomes dangerous when millions of people adopt the mentality. The uncasted ballots could change the outcome of entire elections and the course of the country’s future.

The privilege of voting should not be taken for granted. Millions face difficulties despite their desires to participate, whether through inaccessible poll locations, restrictive laws or other forms of voter suppression. It is a disservice to historical and contemporary suffrage activists, as well as everyday citizens denied their rights, to be passive with such a powerful choice.

Political engagement should not stop after presidential elections, either. Engaging with local governments and staying informed is just as important and brings about the most visible payoff. Further, participating in smaller-scale governmental practices will ease overwhelming feelings that arise when the whole country turns its eyes to the biggest event.

Being politically aware and forming one’s own opinions is not as daunting as it seems. In a digital age where information is widely accessible, there are endless ways to get informed. From tuning into a podcast episode to reading an article, news can be accessed anywhere and in any form to cater to various learning styles.

There is no doubt that the American government, and politics as a whole, are complex and often uncomfortable. That does not mean that it should be abandoned; someone will be on the receiving end of their cruelty if there is no collective effort to hold officials accountable.

In a sense, being politically informed is a “choose your hard” situation. It is hard to learn about tragedies and feel powerless or to discuss them with others. It is also hard to watch the country regress and strip away fundamental rights without trying to do anything.

It is hard, year after year, to watch another election pass and be forced to go with the motions. So, choose your hard. Make that decision so that the change you desire can come just a step closer to fruition.

Politics impacts everybody, whether by choice or force. As constituents, we must have the knowledge and compassion to protect ourselves and others. No one is immune to the political process, so ditch the indifference and make your voice heard.

Anaya Baxter is an integrated communications junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Indifference has no place in politics” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

On August 19th, Love Island USA concluded its sixth season with the highly anticipated reunion episode. Amidst confrontations and confessions, there was concern for the mental health of contestants following the Villa, as many have become victims of online bullying.

Although reality television is entertaining, becoming too invested can cause viewers to blur the lines between fiction and non-fiction, unfortunately dehumanizing participants. 

The season took the summer by storm, amassing millions of weekly viewers and propelling the show from moderately successful to extremely widespread. Such unprecedented attention and new eyes brought contentious conversations that producers and cast members did not prepare for.

Love Island has a reputation for contestants facing mental health struggles after production.

Four individuals who appeared on the show, unfortunately, have taken their own lives. They make up the larger pool of former reality TV show cast members who have been unable to cope with newfound fame. 

For many, struggles began while they were on the show. Showrunners create an isolating, controlled environment where contestants do not have contact with the outside world for months.

Additionally, they are prohibited from having their phones or any internet access, leaving them unaware of how viewers perceive them.

Throughout the season, numerous contestants expressed concerns about looking stupid on national television and even believed America disliked them.

Islander Leah Kateb, who spoke about frequently visiting the on-site psychiatrist, said she believed her family was embarrassed by her participation and hated her.

Producers and editors often prioritize entertainment over contestants’ well-being. As the genre continues to grow in popularity, shows are competing for the attention of viewers and the easiest way to catch the audience’s eye is with drama and animosity. 

To successfully create drama, there must be a villain. Nobody is a saint, much less those under constant stress and living in an inescapable bubble, but producers often showcase numerous outbursts to create the narrative of a contestant being a bad person. This is harmful, as it ignores the complexities of humans and presents the individual as a one-dimensional antagonist.

Often, these harsh moments are edited out of context or provoked by producers. Viewers, however, are inclined to take everything they see on-screen as factual. This creates a polarizing relationship between fans and contestants and makes it difficult for the participants to defend themselves.

While there should be boundaries concerning fans voicing their opinions, audience interaction is often encouraged.

Many shows have embraced a viewer voting element, where the audience can decide who may be eliminated, control challenges and even have their thoughts appear on the show. For contestants who have no contact with the outside world, this creates a misrepresentation of how people view them.

The demand for reality TV, producer influence and viewers harassing contestants poses the question of how far is too far for entertainment.

Drama in these circumstances is inevitable and makes the show more intriguing, but it also has consequences. Unlike actors portraying fictitious characters, there is no separating the person on-screen from their real-life self. 

Indulging in reality TV as a guilty pleasure and judging people from the comfort of one’s home is relatively harmless. Expressing malicious opinions to said individuals is not.

Love Island USA’s recent popularity presents an opportunity for boundaries to be drawn and allows viewers to reflect on their relations with cast members. While they are here to entertain, contestants are responsible for being the brunt of harassment and apathy.

Anaya Baxter is an integrated communications junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Love Island USA exposes mental health risks of reality TV” was originally posted on The Cougar

Eman Ghacham/The Cougar

2024 is shaping up to be the year of women in sports. From gymnastics, basketball and every other sport in between, there is no sign of women slowing down.

This year alone has proven that the idea of nobody watching women’s sports is simply untrue and outdated.

According to a 2021 Samford University report, the dismissal of women’s athletics can be accredited to three factors: lack of entertainment, fans not connecting with the sport and inadequate media presence. While these issues are ingrained in the industry, it’s clear from recent coverage that it is bound to change.

There are a few important factors in hooking audiences. First is skill, which there is abundant in women’s sports.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, not only were there an equal number of men and women competing for the first time in history, but Team USA’s women athletes brought home 67 of the 126 medals the country won. 40 of Team USA’s medals were gold, 26 of which were achieved by women.

That’s more than half of both gold and overall medals won by USA female athletes, which goes to show the sheer amount of skill they hold.

Beyond athleticism, there’s a certain grit among women that pushes them even further. They are eager to keep the momentum running and are proving to viewers, just as much as other competitors, how capable they are. Their drive to push themselves keeps fans engaged.

Entertainment is also developed through storytelling. While it’s important to remember that athletes are real people, fans become invested when they have a story to follow.

Angel Reese and Caitlyn Clark’s rivalry, for example, brought millions of eyes to the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship. Their on-court clashes were even more compelling when the two could back up their bold attitudes with skill.

Audiences also have a tendency to connect most with sports they formerly or currently participate in, though this familiarity is not a necessity. Direct participation is not the only way to learn the rules or build genuine enthusiasm, as seen with the millions of women who follow men’s sports broadcasts.

Beyond participation, authenticity is the best way to increase connections and viewership. This has been the strong suit for rising athletes, one being Olympic track star Sha’Carri Richardson.

Richardson has built a strong fan base with her style, donning intricate nails and various hairstyles on the track. Along with undeniable skill and eye-catching fashion, her setbacks and transparency have expanded her popularity. After losing her mother and being banned from the 2021 Olympics, the track star earned a gold and bronze medal in Paris.

There is truth to broadcasters not covering women’s sports as regularly as men. One glance at ESPN’s schedule proves they prioritize showing and discussing men’s content. The same can be said for many sports radio shows and publications. 

Casual viewership has significantly helped leagues expand their reach. Many bars and restaurants display men’s sports on television year-round, and the Super Bowl has even become an unofficial national holiday. If women’s sports were as widely broadcasted, it would easily draw in more fans.

With the current momentum, there is no doubt that investments by major media companies will return. In the past two years, various women’s sports events have drawn in the biggest in-person and streaming crowds yet. By the end of 2024, the industry is expected to yield a revenue of over $1 billion. 

Where traditional media coverage is inefficient, social media fills the gap. Engaging with sports and finding communities is easier online, and a strong online presence increases sponsorships and other marketing opportunities. In doing so, players show off their individuality and major brands see the demand for them.

Women in professional sports are here to stay. They have always been talented, and emerging athletes are only building on the legacies formed before them. With their authenticity, uniqueness and skill, it is no surprise that the general public is increasingly interested in what these ladies can do.

It is in the sports industry’s best interest to invest in women’s athletics, and in the meantime players are rightfully demanding respect and creating visibility for themselves.

From a financial and cultural standpoint, there is a wealth of potential yet to be unlocked. Today’s athletes are just getting started transforming sports culture.

Anaya Baxter is an integrated communications junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Women’s recent success in sports is no coincidence” was originally posted on The Cougar

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Each semester, UH welcomes thousands of transfer students to campus. Leaving behind their former institution to continue their education prompts feelings of both excitement and anxiety.

Unfortunately, the thrill of admission tends to fade when preparations for the school year start. Receiving an acceptance offer is only the beginning of several challenges awaiting new students, and this is especially the case for transfer students.

Transfer students are just as unique as their educational journey. Some come with an associate’s degree under their belt, experience from another four-year university or a renewed motivation for learning. Whatever the reason, the fall semester marks a new start for them.

While programs like Houston Guided Pathways to Success aim to ensure degree plans across universities correspond, many students lose credits while transferring. This is especially true for out-of-state and international students and it’s incredibly disheartening, as it’s a large waste of time and money.

Academic troubles also present themselves in the form of “transfer shock,” a phenomenon common among transfer students within their first couple semesters.

Following the transition from one institution to another, these students often struggle with their classwork. Familiarizing oneself with their new environment, managing expectations and overwhelming emotions add to the difficulties that coursework already brings on.

Transfer shock is not a permanent phenomenon, but the ramifications of transferring schools can be long-term. These students often take longer to earn their bachelor’s degree than those who began at a four-year school. Along with inspiring frustrations and delaying post-graduation pursuits, this can be financially strenuous.

Transferring to a new university is just as taxing emotionally as it is academically.

It can be difficult to find one’s footing in a place seemingly so well-established. Peers who have curated their friend groups and learned the school culture appear to be miles ahead.

Settling down becomes increasingly difficult when feelings of impermanence settle in. For students, particularly those entering as juniors or seniors, it can be hard to feel grounded in a place they know they will not reside in for long.

Community colleges are commonly presented as stepping stones for four-year universities. Students are motivated to do their best in hopes of pleasing future admissions officers.

Understandably, students from this background find themselves continuing this line of thinking, viewing their final years as preparation for employment rather than a chance to immerse themselves in school.

Transfer students find themselves in a unique position where, according to credit hours, they are upperclassmen, but socially are on a similar playing field as freshmen. Even if they are not as bright-eyed and familiar with higher education, they are still experiencing UH for the first time. This dynamic can be confusing and foster feelings of being left behind.

The complexities of leaving behind one school for another deserve recognition. It is no easy feat to enter unknown social and academic spaces, and it’s even harder to thrive and find a sense of belonging.

Despite challenges, the first semester as a transfer student is an incredible opportunity for growth and discovery. It’s all too easy to let excitement die down and succumb to dread, but holding onto that enthusiasm could be a lifeline.

Building a support system, getting involved on campus and opening up can ease students’ anxieties and make their transition enjoyable.

Anaya Baxter is an integrated communications junior who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

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“Transfer students often face difficult transitions” was originally posted on The Cougar