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Obama inspires, shows promise

My president is black. It’s 3:02 a.m. on Wednesday, and as I ponder those words, I am still somewhat speechless and attempting to wrap my head around the history made. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to see Barack Obama become the 44th president of the United States. I can remember having a conversation with my mother years ago, while in high school, about whether or not we’d ever live to see America elect a black president. I figured my parents would never see such a thing and I’d maybe see it when I was old and gray. Well, here I am at the age of 23 voting for and witnessing what I feared would never happen.

The clock is ticking on ‘24’

Hey, remember “24”? You know, the FOX show starring Keifer Sutherland that garnered both critical acclaim – including the 2006 Emmy for Best Drama Series – and a major cult-like following during its first five years on the air? Even though it’s known for its real-time influenced plot, highly unbelievable leaps in logic and sometimes ridiculous story arcs – the cougar from season two comes to mind – “24” still remained relevant.

The case for political correctness

On college campuses, including ours, few words receive the condemnation and vitriol reserved for that dreaded phrase “political correctness.” The supposed evils of the P.C. movement are well- documented. We’re now subjected to classes about “multicultural studies” or “white privilege.” Students are generally not permitted to use stereotypical terms. Such accommodations are often seen as evidence of the radical left agenda, one that purports to squelching free speech on campus. After all, if I want to call someone a name, I should have every right to do so. Unfortunately for such free-thinkers, there is a perceptible difference between having the right to do something and actually exercising that right. Sure, we could all say generally offensive things about various groups, but whatever happened to promoting respect and tolerance for others?

Hollywood is ahead in embracing U.S. diversity

Diversity. It’s something we celebrate in this country. In light of Tuesday night’s events, we see diversity in the United States as a greater asset than ever before. And it’s about time.

VIDA play series examines identities

IU’s Spanish theater group Vision, Identity, Drama, and Art will put on three one-act plays in Spanish at the John Waldron Arts Center.

‘Partisan Theatrics’ mocks candidates, evaluates issues

Politics took the stage in “Partisan Theatrics [or] will our apple fall far from the bush?”

Jacobs School provides violin lessons to Fairview Elementary first-graders

Through a Jacobs School of Music outreach program, all 46 first-graders at Fairview Elementary School aren’t playing tag during recess. They’re playing violin.

Indiana National Guard soldiers return Wednesday from Iraq

INDIANAPOLIS – About 50 members of the Indiana National Guard’s 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team returned Wednesday from Iraq to help prepare for the rest of the brigade to come back during the next month.

Local elections run smoothly Tuesday

From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, things ran smoothly. But when the Election Day polls closed, things got complicated. Voters reported few problems in Monroe County, but tallying changes delayed the results of many races.

Local organizations spread poverty awareness

Poverty is something college students at IU don’t have at the forefront of their minds. But with the economy in demise, this issue is growing across the nation, including Bloomington.

Genre-binding musical

Aside from some hokey lyrics, Razia’s Shadow works as a mini-musical. The various guest artists keep things fresh; the instrumentation is fully developed and the story is compelling.

The Return of the Filth

If you’re not a fan of screaming metal, screaming or metal in general, you will hate this record. But the guitar work is great, and the band manages to do a good job contrasting sounds that are intense and melodic.

A different kind of animal

Deerhunter prove their ability to still be accessible with Microcastle. Bradford Cox may be one of the better-known musicians of the band, but Deerhunter have rightfully asserted themselves as a capable entity.

Eliminate the negative

Amateur photographers say digital cameras make their hobby easier, but some still prefer the intimacy of manual cameras.

Off with heads, on with greatness

This Leeds, England, group has concocted an assortment of energetic and up-tempo songs for this album, which makes the music sound much more up-beat and happier than all of their previous releases.

Just like a dream

Aside from a slight production sheen, The Cure don’t sound like they’ve aged a day since 1987. Although this could be considered stunted growth, it marks a comforting return to their creative peak.

Crafty business

Local stores make DIY commercial

Not your typical ‘Funhouse’

Although Pink might never be able to shake her bad girl reputation, she has found a way to incorporate her signature voice and in-your-face lyrics to expose a more vulnerable side of herself.

Tools of the trade

Sunny and subtle

Although their popularity has increased dramatically with their previous two releases Final Straw and Eyes Open, A Hundred Million Suns should make them even more accessible to audiences worldwide.