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A group of friends give you tips you need to survive, but will they heed those warnings? 

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Lets Talk About Sexual Health

A conversation that always comes up over the years is Sexual Health. Should we be talking about it in schools? Is this a conversation that parents should have with their children? Or should we ignore the issue and let others just figure it out for themselves? 

A hot buttoned issue for years, the numbers show that sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise. Cities like Atlanta, Georgia have seen a dramatic rise in HIV/AIDS. Programs that promote free testing for STD’s have been placed on college campus’ to ensure and entice young adults to get tested and know their status. 

In September of 2016, the Houston Chronicle reported on the increase of STD’s that have been reported at Sam Houston State University. With an increase in students arriving and a new health facility, an increase of people getting tested and catching these diseases early. 

It is important to get tested and do what you can to prevent the spread of STD’s especially in college where people are more free with their sexuality. 

http://slide.ly/gallery/view/a1c25c337438c04bcf58a7ca6452aae6

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(kCreations)

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Does Your Major Pay Out?

With yet another semester of graduates leaving what will (for most of them) be the last leg of their college journey, a new generation flies out into the world of opportunities to land that big job and jump start their career.  Some have known what they wanted to do since they could walk and imagine themselves as a detective, doctor or big time lawyer, while others jumped around to get a feel of what they wanted until it finally hit them. What ever the case may be, these individuals have picked carefully and stuck with it till they tossed their cap and watch the glimmer of hope shine as the sun reflected of their newly purchased tassels.

For some people, mainly parents, it doesn’t stop there. Does your major pay off in the end? Throughout the years, as the economy changes and the demand for certain jobs will either increase or decrease, the job market shifts ever so slightly in either direction. For some the end goal is to love what you do and for others it’s being successful with a high paying job.

In an interview with Adejah Weeks, a Mass Communication major at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) , she described how she chose her major and how she felt about the money to be made. (Click the link below)

http://blkjust-us-4us.tumblr.com/post/153802120243/kcreations

At SHSU there are seven colleges: College of Science & Engineering Technology, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Health Sciences, College of Fine Arts & Mass Communication, College of Education, College of Criminal Justice and College of Business Administration. All of which posses multiple options for what ever it is that you may want to do; Special Education, Psychology, Multi-Platform Journalism, Victims Studies, Nursing and a whole lot more.

According to Forbes The highest paying jobs include various Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Programming and Software Design. How much pay are we talking starting? Between $50,000 & $60,000.

With the least paying jobs being related to, Advertising, Social Work, Psychology, Public Relations, Biology, Agricultural Studies, as well as Humanities & Liberal Arts, how much would you expect to fall short of? You are looking at $35,000 and $40,000. It doesn’t look to be such a short distance, but when you look a little bit longer you can begin to wonder; how much more can I look to make as I gain more experience?

Given that these numbers have been generated by Michigan State University, not all jobs will have these exact figures but you are given a chance to explore and make ways to go about getting higher paying jobs depending on what state you are in and the cost of living.

With these generalized figures we can look at what areas of SHSU have higher paying potential, although you should look into a major based on if you love the job but if you love money just as much, chase that green money train but be mindful. Money can be the root of all evil.

All jokes aside, for those of you that are looking into going to college, do your best to pick what’s best for you. Outside influences can be good but damaging all the same. Parent’s do want the best but they are typically looking for what could pay out better for your future and not what drives you to go to work every day. Be mindful but work for what YOU want. The numbers don’t lie.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2015/07/02/the-college-majors-with-the-highest-starting-salaries/#5432e2867130

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Voting Is Necessary

With the Presidential Election coming to an end with the last day to vote is Tuesday, November 08th, many people across various social media platforms urge the importance of voting, ESPECIALLY with the candidate running on the Republican ticket being Donald Trump.

 People have urged more than before how vital it is to vote. Back in 2004 Sean “P-Diddy” Combs started the “Vote Or Die” campaign in an effort to get people, mainly young adults and minorities to vote, letting these groups know that their vote counts. During this 2016 election more and more people have urged people to vote more than ever. Donald Trump has been a very vocal character throughout this election, often heard making disgusting remarks against women, minorities with a rich cultural background, and how the election is rigged. Time and time again he has proved to be unfit for the position of Commander and Chief but his numbers have remained to high to be comfortable with him so close to the ‘Throne’. Although people aren’t too keen on having Hillary in the Office, it’s the lesser of the two evils with much more experience and a much calmer demeanor that’s suitable for interacting with others. How many wars could be started with the rude, pompous, blurt first and think later attitude that Trump processes. Regardless, this is the prime example of why it is so important to vote and have your voice heard.

In a last ditch effort, people have talked about writing in Bernie Sanders, but as you would have it, the numbers would work out in favor of Trump, a write in in such a short period of time wouldn’t reach everyone nor would it guarantee that someone will choose to vote for Bernie.

Logically speaking, a vote that is left out is much more dangerous than one that has been cast. If one person says they will not vote because they don’t like either candidates (although it is their right to do so), how many people will have that same mindset? In a room of 50 people, for every 10 people voting there are 4 that refuse to vote. Numbers will add up and that can have a big impact on the polls. It’s important to know how important your vote is. Your voice has more impact than you think it will. The numbers don’t lie.

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Battle Royal in Nevada

Wednesday night, October 19th, was the final debate for Presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. Tensions continued to raise as the opponents faced off with Chris Wallace as the final moderator. A critical moment came as Trump was asked if he would accept the results of the election, to which he responded with a less than ideal attitude stating that he would make that decision on November 8th.

A horrified Clinton made the point that Trump has a history of blaming outside forces for his short comings. Often heard calling the FBI corrupt, polls are rigged and his “stolen” Emmy that he should have gotten.

Trump, often famous for his outlandish remarks, held his ground on immigration.

“We have to have strong borders; we have some bad hombres.” a phrase that echoed throughout social media and astonished viewers.

During the final comments, both candidates gave their last statements for why they should be considered for president.

From this final battle, we can clearly see who is more prepared to deal with all responsibilities of President of the United States. Experience trumps wishful thinking. As the time to vote is upon us and we say good-bye to President Obama, we can only hope that whoever takes control makes the right choices for the country. We all hope that America will make the clear cut choice and select someone who will not flaunt Nuclear codes to gain power from enemies.

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Donald Trump, Sexual Predator in Office?

Although we are not new to Donald Trump’s explicit and bold comments, he has crossed the line time and time again. He’s demeaned and called women pigs countless times and has openly boasted about where women stand with him. Not only this but he has brought his own daughter into these discussions, referring to her physical appearance as “voluptuous”. Yes, it may not be a crime to be proud of your children but to have long talks over their physique and allow another person to call their daughter a “piece of ass” is disturbing all the same. With the Presidential race at its peak you have to really wonder would you really want a bigoted, xenophobic misogynist as President?  

With a rap sheet as long as Trumps in regards to women, he has a lot of explain to do with his recordings with radio talk show host Howard Stern that have been released this past week. He is a sexual predator that has been getting away with his misbehaver for far too long. As the former owner of the Miss USA pageant, he was known to walk into the dressing rooms as young women changed,

“I’ll tell you the funniest is that I’ll go backstage before a show and everyone’s getting dressed…I’m allowed to go in, because I’m the owner of the pageant and therefore I’m inspecting it...they’re standing there with no clothes…I sort of get away with things like that.”

In an interview with Stern he boasted these words and its evident that he uses his power and influence to do whatever he wants to do. At this point we must ask the question, do we really want someone in office with no respect to women, privacy, or carelessly uses their power for what they want? Do we really want to give him full access to the launch codes?

He is a dangerous man who sees no wrong in his actions or words, nor will own up to his wrongdoing when called out. Instead he will redirect all questions to Hilary and the Obama Administration as seen in the second debate Sunday night. Even going so far as to need to have the question repeated to him by Martha Raddatz who was more than firm when redirecting him to the actual topic at hand.

Its hopeful that this recent blow to his campaign will knock him from the top, although the reality star hasn’t bowed down to a challenge, one can hope that this will knock him from the top.

http://fortune.com/2016/10/09/trump-naked-beauty-pageant/

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/09/politics/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-super-predator-2016-election/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/08/politics/trump-on-howard-stern/

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Can we change the Male Ego?

On September 15th, 2016 a disgruntled young woman (unknown) posted fliers around SHSU Campus that read, “IN NEED OF A LYING A** F*** BOY??? CALL 832(***)-****. LOVES TO LIE, LOVES TO BE “RESPECTED” BUT DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO RESPECT HIMSELF, LOVES TO BE KNOWN AS “JIMMY” BUT REAL NAME IS ****** *********” This event generated buzz not only throughout the campus, but social media as well with #SHSUFCKBOY trending. Young alumni gave their commentary as well with the trend coming to them in a shock if their friends hadn’t already informed them.

Questions have been raised by groups of friends who debated and butted heads over if this course of action had gone to far and if retaliation would be a fair course of action to take. Men claimed she went to far and it would be fair take part in another course of action. Not only that but she couldn’t be expecting “Jimmy” to be faithful. The women felt completely different with the exception of maybe one. In this day and age, it’s more common for there to be a high level of cheating going on in relationships. Yes both men and women cheat but there is a higher occurrence with men. The age-old phrase “boys will be boys” is often used as an excuse as to why you can’t always expect a man not break anything let alone be faithful. Medically speaking men produce high levels of testosterone, which can lead a man to easily be led astray with the constant urge to prove their dominance and feed their high libidos into any woman who dare breathe in their general direction. Forgive the edgy tone but there is a point to this.

During this discussion one point always came up, men are dogs. Plain and simple.  Men can and will be dirty dogs BUT does that mean that like dogs, you can correct their behavior? And no I’m not talking about smacking a guy on the nose when he invokes female rage or dare I say “rub his nose in it” because that’s kind of gross.

Lets say you have a male friend (lets call him Ross) who has introduced the circle of friends to his new girlfriend (Rachel). One night the boys go out and Ross starts to flirt a little to heavily with the waitress, now at that point knowing right and wrong, should the friends intervene and let him know he’s got a girlfriend at home waiting, or turn their heads the other way and allow this pattern to continue? Yes easier said than done but what happens when we challenge this social construct and stop biology from taking over? Keep the circulation flowing to the brain.

I don’t think it’s too much to ask for, nor is it changing someone. Your calling out an individual who has a choice in cheating, or being an honest person and not hurting someone enough for them to post your whole area code and government name across campus. Now as far as retaliation goes, I honestly feel that knowing and understanding that you have hurt someone deeply enough for them to strike at you should be enough to just say “Okay I get it” and apologize for their [His] heinous behavior but this isn’t a show on Free Form. Its reality. If we can get to a better understanding with actual communication and not having to resort to lying, we can possibly do better. Until then, fliers will go up and hash-tags will trend.