Blog 4: Video

The Gay Community Strives at OU

Being a freshman in college is hard, but try adding being gay and life might get a little bit more complicated.

Freshmen face many experiences when they enter college.  There is a new found freedom and responsibility that encompasses them.  Most students deal with the struggle of time management, their new independence and some even deal with being homesick.  However, with all of these stresses students who may be homosexual deal with the stress of being themselves without being discriminated and the struggle of finding new friends.  The lack of knowledge among people who are uninformed about gay people is the source behind the stress.

Skyler Elliot is a freshman at the University of Oklahoma majoring in Political Science with hopes of going to law school.  He is like any other freshman student at OU, and he is also gay.  He first came out to his close friends his sophomore year of high school one Friday evening at a friend’s house.  It was difficult, but Elliot felt relieved once he told his friends.  Eventually he told his best friend, which involved many tears, but Elliot was proud he had no secrets with his friends anymore.  “It was an emotional experience, but it became easier every time because you assume people know after you have told more and more people,” Elliot said.  Elliot is not an easily embarrassed person, so when people ask him questions he is happy to answer them.  “In college, if people don’t agree with it or like it, they won’t generally say anything, but some people will ask questions because they are curious and want to be more educated,” Elliot said. 

On every college campus there are people who either accept or do not accept homosexual people.  However, with the younger generations growing older, the concept of accepting everyone for who they are as a person is reflected by how young people feel about controversial topics.  According to the New Yorker, “Younger evangelicals are more open to gay rights than older evangelicals.”  Younger generations are more understanding of gay people because they have grown up where they have been present.  Also, successful television shows like Modern Family portray gay men in a way that creates a positive reflection of gay men.  “Yes it gives the stereotype that gay men are feminine, but I think it is a good show because younger kids will watch that and they will see that it is normal, everyday life,” Elliot said.

At the University of Oklahoma, there are many clubs and groups that make each and every kind of person feel comfortable on campus.  Elliot is apart of the LGBTQ Program, which stands for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Program.  The program’s main purpose is to advise Student Affairs on program opportunities that will help to educate and to build awareness and support for the LGBTQ students as well as the broader campus community.  The program puts on Candlelight Vigils, a Coming Out Day Resource Fair along with other events that bring members of the program closer together.  KatieBeth Gardner, a member of the LGBTQ Advisory Board, said, “I enjoy working with and on behalf of the LGBTQ community because everything we do has a larger purpose than just having a fun event.”  Gardner has been bullied for being involved in the LGBTQ program, even though she is a straight ally for the program.  Her purpose is to help those who need a supportive person in their life because some homosexuals experience abandonment from their parents, families and friends.

The University of Oklahoma offers many opportunities for gay students to feel connected and a part of the campus.  The gay community is a strong and united group that will make great progress in the future.  The world is opening its eyes to these different lifestyles.  It may take time, but hopefully one day there will not be an issue with gay people.  People need to be more informed and to base their judgment on the subject from an educated understanding.  The issue of homosexuals needs not be controversial, it just needs to be understood and accepted.  Elliot said, “If someone told me they weren’t okay with it, but that they made their opinion sound educated, I would be okay with it because at least they understand.”

SOP SLIDESHOW

Audio for Blog Story

18 or 21, Which is the Better Age?

Changing the legal drinking age back to 18 years old may not completely solve underage drinking problems, but it may be the best choice.

            Underage drinking is happening everywhere across the United States.  Most underage drinking happens in college, but high school students also participate.  The risks that come with underage drinking create a very unsafe environment for people.  Many do not realize the strong effects of alcohol, which causes many scary situations.  Some will argue that the solution to the underage drinking would be to change the legal drinking age back to 18 years old.  However, the responsibility that alcohol brings needs to be met with respect and maturity of a person, which many 18 year olds do not possesses.

            In 2010, a group of college presidents, including the presidents of Dartmouth, Virginia Tech and Duke, signed a declaration that said the 21-year-old drinking age was not working.  This declaration started the debate and brought up the concepts of binge drinking and “pre-gaming”.  Binge drinking is the concept of drinking alcohol beverages in a short amount of time with the primary purpose of becoming highly intoxicated.  And “pre-gaming” is the concept of drinking before a social event or activity so that a person is already intoxicated before arriving.  Binge drinking and “pre-gaming” occurs all across college campuses, but mostly by underage people.  This concept of having to drink a lot in a small amount of time creates bad situations.  Most people when they first enter college have never drunk alcohol before, therefore leaving them with no idea of what their alcohol limit may be.  This puts people in danger because many drink so much so quickly in fear that they will not be able to drink at the social event because they are not 21 years old. 

            The legal drinking age for the United States causes much controversy because of the number of teenagers who underage drink.  The United States law clearly states that a person must be 21 years old to drink alcohol.  However, this law used to state that people could be 18 years old until it was changed to 21 in 1984 due to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act.  This law is enforced, but many young people find ways around it.  In college underage drinking is the most prevalent because many people do not turn 21 until their junior year of college.  The drinking age not only creates an issue about people doing it illegally, but also some choose to do it in a manor that puts them and others in danger. 

            The responsibility and maturity level that need to be met when drinking is not yet prevalent in those who are under 21 years old.  “People are not responsible when it comes to drinking,” said Katie Close, a junior at the University of Oklahoma.  Not only do people need to be responsible when they drink, but they need to understand that driving while drinking is not only illegal, but can create bad situations and accidents that could have been avoided.  “I think changing the age would increase the accidents because people would realize that they can’t get into trouble,” Close said.  Kids are drinking to the point where they are making themselves physically ill.  Drinking too much can create alcohol poisoning, which causes people to throw up, pass out and on rare incidents can lead to death. 

            However, with all of the irresponsibility that drinking may bring, many use the excuse that if 18 year olds are able to vote and go to war then they should be able to drink alcohol.  “If you are able to vote for our country’s president and you can fight for our country’s freedom, then you should be able to have an alcohol beverage,” Katie Smith said, a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma.  If the drinking age was changed back to 18 years old of age, the urgency for college students to binge drink could decline.  Instead of drinking a lot before the party, people would space out their drinking over many hours, which would sometimes help with excessive drinking. 

 Despite the fact that some 18 year olds are more mature than some 21 year olds, the drinking age is best fitted at 21 years old.  No matter the age people still drink too much, some drive under the influence and many make bad choices.  The solution to underage drinking is not to change the age, but to better inform people the consequences and effects of drinking. 

            

Raising Cane's is Coming to the OU Dorms

Raising Cane’s may not have been everyone’s first decision, but many will welcome the latest addition to the Adams Tower.

            Every year rumor spreads throughout the University of Oklahoma campus that Burger King will be shut down and a new fast food restaurant will move in its place.  This past summer the OU Board of Regents finally agreed that Raising Cane’s was the best decision for the OU campus.  Burger King was located in Adams Tower for fifteen years, but the past couple of years the restaurant has not done as well as before.  Burger King’s contract was up this past June allowing for a new business to come in.  They are still in the process of constructing the newly renovated area, but with hopes to have Raising Cane’s running this fall.

            There were a total of nine fast food restaurants that tried to take the place in the Adams Tower, but Burger King, Raising Cane’s and Denny’s were the final three.  Each restaurant chain had to give a presentation to the OU Board of Regents on why their restaurant was the best fit for the OU campus.  Raising Cane’s was the winner because of their involvement in OU affairs and their community involvement.  Raising Cane’s will allow students to use their meal plans at their restaurant.  Also, students can use their meal exchanges and points at Cane’s.  Certain meal exchanges will match up with a meal combo and points can be used for extra additions.

            Many students are excited for the new addition, however, some do not feel that it is the healthiest of options.  “I do love Cane’s, but I wish we could have Subway or some type of healthier option,” said Kate Andrews, a freshman at OU.  Raising Cane’s serves chicken fingers, french fries, coleslaw, Texas toast and special Cane’s sauce.  The options are not the most nutritious, but they are a very fresh meal for a fast-food restaurant.  The chicken is one hundred percent premium chicken that is never frozen.  Raising Cane’s is not the healthiest option on campus, but the Student Union offers many other great options such as the Laughing Tomato and Quiznos.  Couch cafeteria has a great salad bar that students can get a nutritional meal too.  However, Chick-fil-A is inside the cafeteria, which also offers a chicken based menu, so hopefully their revenue does not decrease because of Raising Cane’s.  

  

            Many students, who no longer live in the dorms, are excited for Raising Cane’s to be on campus.  “I lived in Adams Tower last year and only ate at Burger King one time.  I love Cane’s and wish it would have been there last year,” said Carley Tayar, a sophomore at OU.  Students who do not live at the dorms will find the Raising Cane’s location at the dorms a closer and more convenient location than the one on Alameda Street.  Also, the opening of a new restaurant may attract students to seek a job at Cane’s, which provides more job opportunities for students.

            The anticipation for Raising Cane’s is coming to an end as the final pieces are being put together in hopes for opening this fall.  Cane’s will be a great attraction to many students because of its growing popularity in Norman.  “I love chicken,” said Andrews, “and I have a feeling that Cane’s will be a weekly stop for me.”

Listening Exercise

I sat down at a doctor’s office at St. Anthony Hospital to do my listening assignment.  At first I was a little hesitant about doing my listening assignment at a hospital, but quickly I realized that there were many sounds and things going on.  The waiting room was filled with lots of different kinds of people.  It was also very busy, which made for a lot of sounds coming from doors opening and closing and people.  I did listen intently to all the sounds, but it was hard at times to not consume my mind with what people were talking to each other about.  Especially in a hospital, many people have lots of stories to tell.  

            The sounds that really surprised me were the background noises.  I was sitting at a good distance away from the check-in desk, but I could hear very clearly the radio playing in the office.  I also realized how loudly older people talk.  These were not necessarily out of the ordinary, but they both caused me to be distracted and listen intently.

            The visuals that “went” with all of the sounds are heard were the big, heavy door open and close many times.  The sound of people flipping through magazines and newspapers.  Children being restless and fidgeting while mothers try to distract them.  The sound of the glass window at the check-in desk open and shut.  Two teenage girls listening to their iPod, but the music was so loud that I was able to hear it slightly.  The sound of people ripping out checks from their check book to pay for the appointment.  Many visuals created great sounds.

SOP PICTURE

PWOP PICTURE

Are Beauty Pageants the Problem or the Age of the Girls?

Beauty pageants have been given a negative connotation recently, due to the hit TLC show, “Toddlers and Tiaras”.  Is it the age of the girls participating in these pageants that causes the controversy or is it the beauty pageants themselves?

            Toddlers and Tiaras is a reality television show that gives viewers a day in the life of many young girls and their families as they prepare and participate in pageants.  The show has created much controversy due to the mature costumes that many mothers feel give their daughters the edge to win.  Some costumes which have caused much discussion were a girl dressed up as Dolly Parton and a young girl dressed as Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman”.  However, with all of the controversy many people find the show entertaining.  Each episode is thirty minutes long and is filled with funny dialogue between the young girls and their parents.               

            Women, who are apart of the pageant world, feel that this show is giving pageants a false identity.  The show portrays pageants as a way for people to receive their fifteen minutes of fame.  These young girls are learning how to be the center of attention and that only winning is important.  “For me, pageants were where I learned my public speaking skills and interview skills,” said Sarah Klein.  Klein has participated in ten pageants through the Miss America organization.  She participated in her first pageant when she was fifteen years old.  Klein believes that starting in her teen years allowed her to gain useful skills that she will be able to use when applying for her first job.  “I hate the image that Toddlers and Tiaras is creating for pageants.  I hope to change this false image because pageants are so much more than the crowns and money,” Klein said.  Many pageants that the Miss America organization puts on are about the community service that each participant volunteers for in their community.

           

            With all of the glittery dresses, hair pieces and flippers the pageant lifestyle is not all it portrays to be.  Many families spend large sums of money on the multiple costumes, the cost of traveling and the entrance fees for each pageant.  However, the parents feel it is all worth it when their child comes home a winner.  The winner usually receives money along with a crown.  For Lauren Lundeen, Miss Oklahoma U.S.A., she wishes the show would teach the girls that winning is not everything.  “I think that the parents take the winning concept too far,” Lundeen said.  Lundeen recently placed in the top ten of the Miss U.S.A. pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.  “I watched some of the women from other states get so upset about not winning Miss U.S.A.  These women were put into pageants at a very young age, it was the only thing in their life that they felt was important,” Lundeen said.  The young girls need to understand the importance of pageants is not winning, but presenting yourself in a confident and positive way.

            For now, Toddlers and Tiaras still receives high ratings, but overtime it will be interesting to see if this show stays on top.  Many enjoy the show, but understand that the message conveyed is not one that should be put into the minds of young children.