Category: Opinion
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Anti-love or anti-repression?
A rebuttal to ‘Pro-sex/Anti-love’ Content warning: sexual assault “‘Abby’ — we’ll call her—” This was the beginning of an all-too-familiar story in the April 2020 edition of The Mercury titled “Pro-sex, anti-love” by Michael Lockwood. This opinion’s claims of how pornography ruins relationships and leads to sexual violence sparked controversy across the UTD student body.…
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Why we publish what we do
Before an opinion piece is published in our paper, a rigorous process occurs beforehand. Columnists and writers approach our team with pitch ideas, which we must approve before they even begin. Next, they submit three separate drafts of their pieces and have them edited by 3-4 editors over the course of two weeks. The pieces…
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An open response to ‘I Hate Me’ from Mercury staffers
On March 9, The Mercury published an article that was offensive and harmful to the Transgender community. Michael Lockwood’s “I Hate Me” piece compared gender transitions to mental disorders and gave the appearance of an endorsement from the organization as it ran unopposed. As employees of The Mercury, we wanted to make it clear that…
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My daughter, the healthcare worker
What it’s like to live with someone on the front lines My daughter is a healthcare worker at Parkland. She runs – actually runs – through most of her 12-hour shifts. I envision her shifts like marathon trials – wearing the mask she had on yesterday (they get three for the week due to shortages),…
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Dead economy
How the COVID-19 response prioritizes corporations over individuals In the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. has seen a sharp increase in unemployment claims, with nearly 17 million filings in the last three weeks. Experts say that social distancing and isolation is likely to last through May and businesses have had to furlough…
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Hypocrisy of Democracy
How Joe Biden’s cult of personality harms women As Joe Biden’s political campaign was resurrected just over a month ago, so were conversations about his inappropriate touching. From YouTube compilations to firsthand accounts, the stories are impossible to ignore. But that’s exactly what the Democratic party and his supporters are doing. The allegations against Biden…
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Lights, Camera, Asian American
Why Asians in Hollywood movies need to move past token characters I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be a casting director for a movie. Do they merely cast minorities to appear racially progressive for ratings? How do they decide what characters minorities play? Casting in movies and television shows has always been met with…
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Financialization: A Tragedy
When profit takes precedence, students suffer Cranes, orange street signs, dirt and neon yellow jackets have all become sights UTD students see while making their way to class while walking and riding on the few roads left untouched by construction. Many try to imagine how the new buildings will blend in upon completion, while others…
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Shelter-at-home(less)
Why supporting homeless shelters is critical during quarantine While many of us are safe within our own homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic, these times have become especially difficult for those who do not have a place to shelter in. Throughout the country, homeless shelters have been hit hard by this unexpected disaster. Since COVID-19…
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Pro-sex, anti-love
How porn degrades women, distorts the mind “Abby” — we’ll call her — has what you might call the ideal husband: loving, intelligent and attractive. But no matter how hard they try in the bedroom, Abby cannot become sexually aroused. “It’s not like he’s only willing to try a handful of mundane things … and…