Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill on April 12 that allows Georgia residents to carry a handgun in public without a permit or background check. This includes residents of 32 other states who visit Georgia, including Alabama, Tennessee and Arizona. Before this bill was signed, Georgians were required to pass a background check, pay a fee of approximately $75 and ...
Read More »Editorial: Racial slur controversy questions transparency of VSU administration
On Sept. 27, VSU communications professor Dr. Fred Earls stirred up controversy during one of his lectures. In the lecture, Dr. Earls wrote the n-word on a whiteboard as part of a lecture on how language changes depending on who uses it. (For more, read here: http://www.vsuspectator.com/2023/10/11/investigation-on-professor-who-wrote-racial-slur-in-lecture/). While we are not aware of action taken against the professor, one thing ...
Read More »Editorial: Housing shortcomings are causing students stress
The Spectator has recently received information of a molding issue in residential dorm buildings. This has become a growing concern, and many students have begun to share their similar experiences on social media. One student had an allergic reaction to the mold, yet housing made no change. Another student shared her experience with housing and said that they were slow ...
Read More »Editorial: New bills across nation strip away rights
This year, numerous bills have been proposed, which would take away many rights that we, as U.S. citizens, currently enjoy. Florida House Bill 991 is an example of an obvious infringement on free speech. This bill lowers the bar on who is considered a public figure for defamation purposes and on what is considered defamation. “[Florida HB 911] weakens state ...
Read More »Editorial: Putting some spring back into your step after spring break
With the beaches, road trips and worry-free attitude of Spring Break now in our trails, it’s time to get back into the groove as we inch closer to the end of the semester. At this point in the semester, many students are overwhelmed, exhausted and ready for everything to be over with. Between school, jobs, extracurriculars and personal lives, it ...
Read More »Advancing Gender Equality: Celebrating International Women’s Day
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is important to recognize the immense contributions that women have made throughout history and continue to make today. This day is not only a celebration of women’s achievements, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Despite significant progress in recent years, women continue to face systemic ...
Read More »Editorial: Our unfiltered, uncensored voice
While tough and controversial topics may arise on VSU campus, The Spectator editors and reporters strive to be bold journalists and bravely advocate for our rights to ensure our campus is informed. This year, Feb. 23 is Student Freedom Press Day, a national day that raises awareness of student journalists’ work, highlights the censorship that students face and empowers those ...
Read More »Editorial: Stanford University students spark conversation about free speech
Recently, Stanford University has been the subject of controversy involving a conversation around freedom of speech. A student posted a Snapchat of another student reading Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” autobiography while making an exaggerated thoughtful expression. A complaint was filed by an unknown student organization. The university did not take disciplinary action and instead went for a variety of options to ...
Read More »Editorial: Keep the flame burning, Blazers
Many students have already noticed that this semester feels a bit … different than usual. Maybe even the past few semesters, really. Students seem to be suffering from mental burnout, whether that be from having senioritis, going to school while being a parent, having to juggle jobs, or all three. It is a constant fight to keep up with life while trying ...
Read More »Editorial: Is Georgia’s runoff system really fair?
After Raphael Warnock won 49.4% of the election vote and Herschel Walker 48.5%, Georgia is headed to a runoff election. Georgia law requires a runoff election if a candidate does not receive at least 50% of the vote in general elections. Louisiana is the only other state that has this requirement. While this may seem like a fair law, ensuring ...
Read More »Editorial: Judge’s abortion decision a step forward for Georgia women
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled Georgia’s ban on abortions violated both the Constitution and a previous Supreme Court ruling. The ban, which outlawed abortions after six weeks, was deemed void according to the laws in place when it was created three years ago. Though the state attorney general’s office filed an appeal, McBurney’s ...
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