Tag: Julia McCoy ’22
“We Solved It”: Celebrity Platforms are Key to Politics
by The Cowl Editor on September 27, 2018
Opinion
by Julia McCoy ’22
Opinion Staff
The beginning of this year brought us award shows with red carpets full of celebrities standing together in solidarity to raise awareness for the Time’s Up movement. Now, nearly nine months later, we saw a more subtle attempt at political commentary during this year’s Emmy Awards.
Though the distinct coordination that we saw at the Golden Globes and the Oscars was missing, it is clear that celebrities will continue to use their voices to fight. While it may strike some as odd to use award shows as a moment for political commentary, the spotlighted platform is the perfect moment for any award winner to seize the opportunity to speak up for what they believe in.
The Emmys started with a skit called “We Solved It,” which discussed the show’s most diverse nominations ever. In it, celebrities including Kate McKinnon and John Legend jokingly celebrated this historic moment, claiming that America’s diversity problems were solved.
It is quite obvious that we have not, in fact, solved the diversity issues facing the United States. However, bringing attention to the slight progress that has been made allows us to recognize the ability and room for improvement.
Similarly, many jokes were made throughout the night at the expense of men who have recently been ostracized from Hollywood’s society. Jokes like these and the overall idea of the Times Up movement are inherently political and bound to cause controversy.
By speaking out about these issues, celebrities are lending their voices to a global cause that has taken over the world in the past few years.
These actions remind us of the hard work and advocacy of many women, not just celebrities. It is as if these famous people are using their status to shine a light on those who do not get to speak on such a spotlighted platform.
Acceptance speeches at this year’s show also left room for some political commentary. In her speech for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role for a Comedy, Rachel Brosnahan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel told everyone to vote this fall.
Everyone who has watched an awards show knows how fast you have to speak during an acceptance speech. The fact that Brosnahan used her last few seconds to emphasize voting shows how important it truly is.
In today’s polarized society, it is hard to speak out for what you believe in without being scrutinized, which is why using such a global platform can be risky.
However, it is extremely important to take these risks if you want to make a change. Celebrities have such a significant platform that reaches many people. The use of their voices as a way to incite discussion and change is a powerful thing that should not be taken lightly by any means.
Many people believe that celebrities should not involve themselves in the political world; they claim it is out of their realm of understanding. While this may be true, the entire point of a democracy is to allow every person to have a voice and an influence on the government. Famous people, with their immense followings, have the ability to truly participate in democracy by sharing their ideas and allowing them to spread much faster than those of ordinary people.
So yes, it may be true that celebrities are not the most knowledgeable on subjects such as politics and government, but if they believe something strongly enough, they should be allowed to share it on any platform they wish, not because they are forcing anyone to agree with their ideas, but because they are allowing people to hear what they have to say.
If it resonates with someone, they have made a difference in a way no one else can.
The Roommate Debate: Why Random is Better Than Requested
by The Cowl Editor on September 20, 2018
Opinion
by Julia McCoy ’22
Opinion Staff
Immediately after being accepted to Providence College, incoming freshmen are placed into a Facebook group with their new classmates.
Among the obligatory orientation information and administrative news are short biographies posted by accepted students to try and attract a roommate.
In these biographies, students are compelled to write where they are from, their major, and a few activities they are interested in. Most incoming freshmen also include a few photos or a link to their Instagram profile.
The purpose of these posts is to make connections via social media before the school year starts. More often than not, students who are posting on the Facebook page are also looking for potential roommates to interact with and choose from.
Some students would rather know who their roommate is before the school year starts, as opposed to going random and finding out in early August who they will be spending the year with.
There are obvious benefits to choosing a roommate; if you connect with someone early, you could have an automatic friend going into the school year.
Knowing the person you are living with can take a bit of pressure off of an already anxious incoming freshman, and can ease the transition process immensely.
However, it is truly difficult to encompass all of your likes and dislikes in one short Facebook post. Most students opt to post a vague self-description and try not to go into too much detail about their lifestyle or daily habits.
Scrolling through the page, there seems to be a pattern of commonly used phrases such as “I like to go out sometimes but enjoy a night in,” and “I like hanging out with friends, watching Netflix, and going out.”
Sure, these are great things to have in common with someone, but how do you know when they tend to go to sleep or if they prefer to have people in the room or not?
On the other side of the spectrum, PC offers an effective and specific rooming survey that should be completed by anyone choosing to have a random roommate assignment.
These surveys are used as a way to compare students’ habits and interests and ultimately, they result in a roommate that best matches your personality.
In terms of thoroughness and attention to detail, the College’s roommate matching system seems to have a very effective system.
However, through detailed conversations and more in depth questions about living habits, it seems possible that a roommate from Facebook could be just as successful as one from the survey.
Upperclassmen have given mixed reviews as to how their first-year roommate situations ended up. While some are still best friends and possibly visiting each other while abroad, others barely see each other on campus anymore. This proves that you do not have to stay best friends with your roommate, and you will find other friends if you want to.
It is also important to remember that your roommate is not the only person you should be connecting with during your first weeks here.
Sure, you will be living with them, but forcing a friendship where one would not naturally occur will result in issues later on in the year.
Being able to branch out while ultimately knowing that you have someone to rely on is also a fairly good idea.
What is most important to remember is that all friendships should come naturally, and if that is the case with your roommate, then you are lucky and now get to live with one of your best friends.
Whichever type of housing situation you find yourself in, make the most of it. You are going to be living with this person for the next year, at least.