On Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court announced that it would hear a case on affirmative action in university admissions. This case, like the landmark 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger decision, involves a white student who applied to a public university and was denied– and, according to the plaintiff, Abigail Fisher, minority students with lower scores than hers were admitted. In Grutter, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of quota systems for racial minorities in public university admissions was unconstitutional, but it also held that admissions committees may use race as one of a myriad factors that go into the admissions process– not unlike the way admissions committees favor students who are legacies or those who hail from Barrow, Alaska (so that they can claim in brochures that they attract students from all fifty states–and Guam!). In other words, race might be a factor that gives your application a little nudge toward the top of the pile, but it can’t be the sole determining factor in an admission decision. Continue reading
Twee. I know, I know. Today, “twee” is often a pejorative term, a dismissal of people and objects that embody a particular mixture of hip nerdiness and self-conscious cuteness. “Adorkability,” if you will. Twee is Zooey Deschanel playing ukelele with Joseph Gordon-Levitt while kittens chase bubbles across her bedroom. It is a polka dot dress with a sweetheart neckline, a hand-knit cardigan, a teacup purchased on Etsy. Twee (or “indie pop”), however, is also a genre of music that deserves our attention. Indie pop began as an exercise in quiet rebellion and became a bonafide musical movement which ultimately, affected much of the music to come after it. Continue reading
It’s almost the weekend of a short week. How sweet is that? Continue reading
Will Santorum froth at the mouth? Will Newt’s amphibious tongue caress the microphone? Will someone out Romney’s habit for hookers and blow? Will Paul, I don’t know, just be himself?
It has been almost a whole month sees these goofballs have debated last. Tune in to CNN at 8pm ET to watch and here to let your true feelings be known. Continue reading
The Second City comedy troupe imagines a world where Prince isn’t famous — instead he’s a plumber named Roger.
It looks like this is the first in a series. So who should they do next? I’d suggest Celine Dion or Kanye West.
Hat tip: Anita Manbadly
Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent for many Christians around the world. During Lent we are supposed to abstain from meat (mammals and fowl) on Fridays as a sacrifice during this solemn time. However, we are allowed to eat seafood. Lucky for me, Lent and the beginning of crawfish season are nearly one and the same.
Recently I had the pleasure of sitting down with our lovely Momof3wildkids and learning a little more about her. Here’s what she had to share. Continue reading
I had the good fortune of having tickets Prima Donna last night. It is an opera composed by Rufus Wainwright, whom some of you will have heard of, and some of you will (shamefully) only know as that guy who sang that song from Shrek. Continue reading
I have to admit I’ve never given my baptism into the Roman Catholic Church a second thought. Continue reading
Lured by rumors of gold and ivory and in search of a new trade route to Asia, in 1471, the Portuguese first arrived at what is now present-day Ghana. What they found was an established gold trade by the existing inhabitants, who were members of the Fante ethic group. To participate in the gold trade, the Portuguese established a trading post in the present-day town of Elmina. Continue reading