bigotry – The Columbia Chronicle

Laws discriminating against transgenders will not be tolerated

By Editorial Board

April 13, 2015

Prior to rewrites and amendments, the recent religious freedom laws enacted in Indiana and Arkansas posed a real threat to the LGBTQ community. The legislation essentially legalized discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs. Though the appropriate changes were made following intense backlash, the fight for equality and human rights continues as more than six states move forward with bills that discriminate against the t...

Tree House Humane Society's new facility with cat cafe

Chicago’s first cat cafe to come, not without obstacles

April 6, 2015

Leave your kittens at home—the very first Chicago cat cafe is being built in Rogers Park at 7225 N. Western Ave., where customers can enjoy a latte with Tree House Humane Society’s friendly felines....

Religious freedom laws not free

By Editorial Board

April 6, 2015

Corporate personhood, a doctrine that grants businesses the same rights as U.S. citizens, has existed in the U.S. in some shape or form since before the Civil War. The freedoms a business is allowed have only grown and strengthened with several Supreme Court cases—most recently and particularly Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, a decision that gifted corporations with religious freedom—backing up the idea that corporations have t...

Religious exemption goes too far

February 24, 2014

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion, but in Missouri, Idaho and Arizona, recently proposed bills call into question the limits of that freedom.The pending legislation in these states would allow businesses and health care professionals to deny any medical service if the worker’s religious beliefs oppose it—a measure that runs dangerously close to enfranchising discrimination. Allow...

Caffeine enhances memory, study shows

February 3, 2014

It is not news that caffeine is used as a resource for staying awake and alert. But new findings suggest that it is not just an energy booster—it may also aid memory.According to a study published Jan...

Columbia students take advantage of “crowdfunding” sites

By Dannis Valera

April 9, 2012

Recently, more and more people have been using "crowdfunding" sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to help fund creative projects. These sites, by creating a campaign page and video, help gather donations from anyone who has access to these sites. Many Columbia students have taken advantage of this new and innovative way of funding and aren't doing too bad, either.http://youtu.be/lz8lxF1Vv6M...

A ‘Rush’ of ignorance

By Luke Wilusz

March 12, 2012

Conservative political commentator and radio personality Rush Limbaugh made headlines last week after making some blatantly sexist comments on his show. He referred to Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University law student who testified before Congress in favor of policies that would require health insurance providers to cover prescription birth control, as a “slut” and a “prostitute.” He insinuated that Fluke, and by e...

Westboro church’s ignorance not excusable

By Trevor Ballanger

February 20, 2012

I’ve always felt a sense of pride for who I am and where I come from, though at times it wasn’t easy. Some may think that being gay and coming from a highly religious family in southern Iowa would be rough, and they would be right.But in a lot of ways I was luckier than I realized at that time. There has always been a strong support system of friends and family around me, and I’ve never had trouble being protected whe...

Drawing attention to discrimination

By Editorial Board

March 7, 2011

One Tribe, the Office of Multicultural Affairs ‘diversity council, recently started Columbia’s first “Tunnel of Oppression,” a demonstration that aims to raise awareness about important issues of racism, bigotry and harassment. The project might best be compared to a haunted house, where visitors are guided through a series of rooms to experience the sorts of oppression and conflict many groups face every day. Such...