A red wave was all pundits talked about in regard to the 2022 midterms, but when the votes were counted, it turned out to be more like a red drop.  The Democratic Party has many different voting blocs to be thankful for this post-election holiday season, but one they should be the most thankful for is the youth voters of America. 

Social media can be utilized as a tool to stay up to date with friends and family, but it can also be used to perpetuate one’s views on issues around the world. How often have we gone on social media only to find an opposing opinion that makes us upset or angry? There is an appeal to finding these posts and joining in on the argument.  The social media sphere holds the opinions of many of our friends and family, and in an era of political divisiveness and significant decision making, there are always differing opinions to be found. Conversations that would not be had in person are written out online under the shield of a profile picture. There is a particular thrill to being angry, and this anger is extremely easy to find on any social media platform. 

Well, folks, it's that time of year. The mountains are constantly dumping snow, the temperatures are remaining brisk and, as a result, nearly every resort is now officially open to snowboarders and skiers for the 2022-23 season. Let us rejoice in the good news!  For most Colorado natives, this is a sacred time of year full of possibilities on the slopes. Maybe it's a new trick in the terrain park or a new run at a favorite resort begging to be shredded, but nothing but positive thoughts should be streaming through hopeful minds. 

This November's midterm elections definitively proved what many political analysts and armchair pundits have been saying for years: Colorado is now a blue state. For the last couple of decades, Colorado has been a fierce battleground state. It's flip-flopped from Democrats to Republicans a number of times over the last 30 years, with both parties running competitive campaigns that earned large swaths of the state's votes.

Editor’s Note: This is a satire piece from The Collegian’s opinion section. Real names and the events surrounding them may be used in fictitious/semi-fictitious ways. Those who do not read the editor’s...

In 2013, I moved to Fort Collins as a single parent and sole provider of three children, who at the time were in grades three, four and six. I had a dream of coming back to college at 37 and pulling my children and me out of poverty to change our family trajectory. I applied for every scholarship, loan and grant that I was able to.  Our family moved into international family housing, and I started back on my undergraduate degree in human development and family studies at Colorado State University. I loved every second of my education and felt that I would be able to graduate and pay off the loans. I was a peer advisor in the department of human development and family studies and was ready to apply to every single position in advising as an academic success coordinator possible.

A recent tweet by Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) rose to infamy with a claim about “going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” The tweet initiated a storm that has stripped Ye of a deal with Adidas and alienated his main fanbase while also inspiring others to either agree with or take up his opinion on the Jewish community. Kyrie Irving has also entered a similar state of controversy after tweeting a link to an antisemitic film.  Ye is not unique in his opinion of the Jewish community but a byproduct of the ever-growing antisemitic movement. It is always easy to assume that this rhetoric and mentality are not present in our own communities, but the truth is sometimes surprising. The Anti-Defamation League recorded a 61% increase in antisemitic incidents in Colorado from 2017 t0 2021, with 32 more incidents recorded than in 2020.

Secondhand clothing is experiencing a second life, for better or worse. Over the last few years, thrifting has become a hefty social phenomenon. TikTok influencers and climate activists alike have been highlighting the environmental benefits of shopping secondhand, and as a result, it's become trendy to see what you can score at your local thrift shop.

The spooky fun of Halloween is behind us and so is the dizzying election season. Individuals across the nation now prepare for the thick wave of seasonal depression to hit with force.  It’s not uncommon to feel gloomy in the overcast, cold weather. In Colorado, the winter is either the thing you’ve been waiting for or the thing you’ve been dreading. If you’re into winter sports, you’re set. If you aren’t, good luck. 

The college basketball season has arrived in Fort Collins. There are big questions about the Colorado State University men's basketball team and how they will perform after making an NCAA tournament appearance at the end of last season.  However, a bigger question regarding college basketball in Fort Collins might be why the CSU women's team does not get more support from the student section and the Fort Collins community.

A September article published in the opinion section of The Collegian praised the City of Fort Collins for its plentiful murals while decrying vandalism. It is valuable, I think, to let a vandal defend their practice. So why is graffiti good?   First, graffiti is an ancient cultural practice seen throughout the world and produces, alongside other arts, works of various qualities. Like other art, graffiti can range from simple tags to massive murals with incomprehensible lettering (at least, to those who are not familiar with graffiti) and astounding color combinations.  

The election is upon us. All active registered voters were mailed their ballots. The final day to return your ballot is Election Day, Nov. 8. My office must receive them by 7 p.m. The concept of Election Day as the day you should vote has not been the reality for many, many years. Instead, Election Day represents the deadline and the day that you will finally see the results of votes cast — or at least some results.