The 2008 film “Taken” is a typical thriller. It has beautiful women, a dramatic kidnapping, and a heroic figure swooping in to save the day. You might even walk away from the movie with warm, fuzzy feelings of happiness and security, not even noticing the serious problem portrayed in the film. Liam Neeson’s on-screen daughter…
Author: Ayah Kamel
Ayah Kamel is a senior Political Science and Global Studies major from Fargo. She has been verbally spouting opinions since she could talk and is happy to be able to write them down as a member of The Concordian's opinion staff. Although Ayah does not yet know what the future holds for her, she has latent dreams of becoming the next Nicholas Kristof.
Make time for service
This semester, consider giving your Concordia education a practical application through sustained service in the Fargo-Moorhead community. There are many organizations and entities in the area that could use the help of college students like us. You may already have a lot on your plate, but volunteering a couple hours a week for the betterment…
Redefining productivity
For much of my college experience, I’ve been far too preoccupied with a very narrowly defined notion of “productivity.” My involvement in scheduled activities like work, school and tennis practice was productive; anything else was not. I felt guilty for every moment I spent not working on or at something. Only now in DC have…
Alternative giving
Many of us have learned to expect things from our friends and families as a demonstration of their love and appreciation for us, but why? How often are the material gifts we get things that we really need or even want? This holiday season, consider alternatives to traditional gift giving that will strengthen your relationships,…
I am thankful
I am thankful for Thanksgiving. Once every year, I get this chance to reflect on all that is good in my life. This year, my list is long. I am thankful for the computer I am using to type these words. I use my computer almost all day every day. Along with the internet, it…
Live responsibly
If you hadn’t yet known the theme of Concordia’s core curriculum, BREW week ought to have fixed that. Becoming responsibly engaged in the world. The phrase is in almost every course syllabus. Professors extol the concept. It is hard to go a week without being told to BREW, and yet it can be hard to…
Rallying for reason
Over the past few weeks, a sense of excitement has grown in the nation’s capital. On the metro, at work, in classes: everyone I talked to had a single favorite topic of conversation. This building anticipation wasn’t limited to D.C. People around the country were being swept into the fever. What was the cause of…
Is the Tea Party Racist?
Three weeks ago, I wrote about why I don’t support the Tea Party. Among my reasons was that it is not inclusive to minorities. After reading Tyler Duggar’s “The Tea Party revisited” in last week’s Concordian, I am motivated to clarify a few points regarding the Tea Party and its relation to minority groups. I…
Stand up to the Republican Party
It is easy to jump on a bandwagon that is already going full speed, but right now the Democratic Party is struggling through a mud patch. It needs people out on the ground pushing. The Republican Party, capitalizing on this country’s economic frustrations, has gained a tremendous amount of support and sympathy. Loud, enthusiastic leaders…
Politics is not entertainment
Over the past few years, we have all heard claims that the lines between politics, news and entertainment are blurring. Commentators have speculated that people can no longer tell the difference between a news show about politics and an entertainment show about politics. Half news, half satiric commentary segments on shows like “Saturday Night Live”…