I have been familiar with numerous institutions throughout my lifetime, ranging from schools to sports teams to places of employment. One institution I have been a part of for a long time is the Catholic Church.
From the time of my Baptism until present day, I have grown up with, learned, and continue to discover the values and beliefs of my faith. From its beginnings and in modern times especially, the Catholic Church has faced adversity regarding the issues of an ever-changing culture. Pope Francis XVI is the first of his kind, addressing certain issues head on and with honesty.
Many of us have been there. You lost a game, you dropped a pass, you missed a shot, you let yourself and your team down. Many also have experienced the car ride home with your family, being criticized for what you could have done better. Sometimes it helps to talk it out, but other times you just want to put it past you and work to become better the next time. It takes discipline for individuals to listen to criticism and learn from it, but we also have freedom to choose how we react. For some, sports is purely for fun. For others, it is their whole life. Each individual gets out what they put in, and how much that amounts to is part of what makes us unique from each other, players and spectators alike.
I recently read an article from the newspaper about the pressure parents put on their children to do well in sports. It recognizes that there is a balance between encouraging children’s athletic abilities and causing stress by acting like a second coach. My dad is a football, basketball, and baseball coach for grade-school age kids, including my brother, and he has been both the reciprocator and the recipient of this situation.
Women in media and theories on gender overlap to create expectations for females that may be difficult to live up to. In my Communications 101 class, we are learning about different perceptions of people in the media. This week we are focusing on feminism and the changes in the portrayal of women in the media over time.
Caster Semenya via Wikimedia Commons
Our reading on Caster Semenya and the role of gender in sports competition can relate to the issue of feminism.
It is a truth older than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell himself—nothing is more American in the autumn than a gaggle of young boys gathering to tackle each other on clipped grass and turf fields, not for the sake of animosity but for the pigskin ellipse we call the football. Continue reading The Sports and Pastimes of America
Politicians are some of the most influential people in the world. Their every word and action, good and bad, is seen and heard by thousands of people looking to them to be leaders of cities, states, and countries. Americans have viewed every type of politician over the centuries. George Washington was the original President, making decisions on war tactics, territorial conflicts, and the foundation of our nation’s laws. Abraham Lincoln spoke out in behalf of the abolition of slavery, and made crucial steps to its elimination. Richard Nixon, no matter what good he did as a politician, will forever be remembered for his annexation. Barack Obama continues to impact the country with his health care reforms and military investments. I could go on and on, describing various governors, senators, presidents, and mayors who are recognized for their positive speeches and their scandals outside the office. No matter what, it is crucial to analyze what sets certain politicians apart from the others as good leaders. Continue reading Keep Calm and Lead On
Signing up for classes as a first year student at the University of Michigan is not just overwhelming and stressful, but very confusing. What classes do I need to take? What classes do I want to take? What classes will hold my attention long enough for me to pass the semester? Skimming the classes catalog back in June, I was looking for some type of political science class to help me explore my future career options. The theme of the class I decided on (this Poly Sci 101 class I am currently blogging for) was Sport and the University. The subject of this class and its theme sealed the deal for me to register.
The Laurel 
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