Year: 2015
WHAT’S BUZZIN’: “Fifty Shades” makes abuse seem OK
The book “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James has too many fans, and it doesn’t make sense. It romanticizes rape like it’s an OK part of a relationship. It makes emotional, physical and sexual abuse look attractive. It’s a horrible depiction of BDSM, which many people don’t understand. The acronym is composed of three parts: Bondage and discipline (BD), dominance and submission (Ds) and sadism and masochism (SM). […]
MUSINGS: Author suggests learning partner’s “love language”
The book “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman has sold more than eight million copies and has been translated into nearly 50 languages. Chapman believes that people can better love one another if they understand that everyone has a “primary love language” that makes them feel the most loved. The book outlines five languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch. […]
PERSPECTIVES: Hollywood holds on to stereotypes
Movies and TV shows have been my main source of entertainment since childhood. As I’ve grown into a black woman, I’ve come to realize that Hollywood misrepresents my race. It uses stereotypes to create a negative image of African Americans. Let’s start with Walt Disney. After 75 years of film-making, the company produced its first animated movie with a black princess in 2009. […]
College hires new chancellor
St. Louis Community College’s new chancellor comes from an Indiana community college system with 32 campuses and nearly 200,000 students. Jeff Pittman, 58, of Avon, Ind., was one of 31 applicants and four finalists considered by the STLCC Board of Trustees. […]
Student creates winning beat for music contest
Music composed by a well-known Forest Park student will be featured in a Master Class video series broadcast on the college’s YouTube channel and used for instruction. […]
JUST SAYIN’: Dogs don’t want to play dress-up
The 22nd annual Purina Beggin’ Strips pet parade marched through Soulard last month as part of St. Louis’ annual Mardi Gras celebration. It attracted an estimated 80,000 people and 8,000 animals, mostly dogs. I met several dogs that morning that were quite vocal. So this issue, I’ve decided to turn my column over to a black-and-white mixed breed named Harley. Take it away, my four-legged friend. […]
Enrollment drop concerns officials
Enrollment continues to decline at Forest Park, dropping 38 percent in the past 3½ years. A closer look at statistics reveals another trend. “The black/African American population has the most significant decrease in enrollment,” said Tracy Hall, vice president of academic affairs. […]
Tire stolen from student’s car
Parking Lot C seems to be a hot spot for car thieves this semester. Someone stole a beige 2001 Buick LaSabre from the lot in January. This month, a student reported that a tire disappeared from his midnight-blue 1997 Ford Explorer. […]