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A spirit that is not afraid

Opinion


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COLUMN | Should aerospace engineers take ethics?

While Auburn sets the standard for engineering education, engineers themselves are at the forefront of human innovation. To be at the forefront asks not just “How do we?” but “Should we?” Every question of ethics is an important one, so why then does Auburn University not require aerospace engineers to take an ethics class?


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COLUMN | There is no excuse to fly the Confederate flag today

Having grown up in a small town in Alabama, I am incredibly familiar with confederate imagery. Most prominent among these images was the Confederate flag. I've seen entire stores dedicated to this flag. I’ve seen it flapping on the back of lifted trucks and hung in the rooms of friends. As a Black man, it may not come as a surprise that I don’t really get it. When I’ve asked, I’ve always been met with responses that go along the lines of “southern pride” or “heritage over hate.” These reasons have never sat right with me.

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COLUMN | Where does our coffee come from?

While college students like us cannot completely upend the system of international agricultural trade (yet), we can all play a part in supporting fair trade and caring for the people who grow the products we enjoy daily. So how do students in Auburn, Alabama, participate in supporting “chains of care” in the coffee industry? The answer is simple: buy from the people who care.

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COLUMN | The importance of reform over punishment

In this country, law and order has been an increasing talking point. No, I am not referring to the series cooked up by Dick Wolf. Issues of crime, homelessness and immigration have been a focal point in politics for the last decade. It is my honest belief that a concerted effort to reform ex-convicts and get them the help they need to re-enter society, rather than focusing on our own desires to see those who have wronged us suffer, is one of the first steps that need to be taken to prevent further violence.

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COLUMN | Painting over Pride

Painting over a memorial depicting the pain of being someone LGBTQ+ in the United States is a targeted act of hate. Defending the action with the misguided claim that it was done to prevent “political” markings rather than the truth of the matter — that Florida officials destroyed a memorial — is ignorant. Nobody’s existence is political.

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COLUMN | America's 'problematic priorities' with gun violence

It’s a shame that the ideals of gun rights are still held to the heights they are today. The results of gun violence no longer shock American society in ways that they should, leaving us to repeat the same mistakes. Until our nation as a whole realizes the problematic priorities we hold highest, more and more families will suffer, as children and faculty members die every year.

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EDITORIAL | Preserving public safety in Auburn

Auburn, as a city and a university takes pride in being a safe place for those who live there. However, in the last month, we've seen The Loveliest Village become full of violence and danger, which is becoming concerning. The university, however cannot be blamed for the presence of danger in the community, which is unavoidable anywhere. Students and Auburn-Opelika residents must take measures to protect themselves.

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COLUMN | Letters in a digital world

A handwritten letter is something your loved ones can hold, reread and tuck away for safekeeping. There’s something incredibly personal about ink meeting page, something raw and unfiltered, so write the letter; you'll be surprised how much of yourself you find inside it.

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Letter to the Editor | Beware AI in classrooms

AI is taking over in classrooms. To be clear, this is a powerful technology with many useful applications, including in the university setting. There is evidence that it can aid in some aspects of learning. However, there is also strong evidence that it can significantly harm learning and even lead to a decline in human ability. And it is becoming increasingly possible—or even likely—that this technology is not as transformative or revolutionary as some of its boosters have argued. 

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COULMN | Tips for Incoming Freshmen

Many of you may have grown up in Alabama and always wanted to go to Auburn. Many of you did not and just so happened to end up here. No matter how you got here, you’re here now and about to embark on a new journey. As someone who has a whopping one year of college under their belt, I feel that it’s most fitting for me to write advice for the entire freshman class.

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Plainsman's Pointers | Panhellenic Playbook

From Toomer’s Corner to eagle flights to game day chants, Auburn adores its traditions, and as August grows near, the campus waits in anticipation for one of its most beloved: Panhellenic recruitment. Here are five pieces of rush advice from your big sister who has already been through it.

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PLAINSMAN'S CHOICE | Best of athletics

Auburn sports reach a long way. Plainsman's choice 2025 best of sports highlights everything dealing with Auburn Athletics, from best home game to best female athlete.

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PLAINSMAN'S CHOICE | Best food

Auburn is filled with many different restaurants, ranging from local gems to chain restaurants that are universally loved. The following restaurants are the top picks for The Auburn Plainsman’s food categories.

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Letter from the Editor | Make the most of your season

Whatever season you find yourself in, thank you for being here and spending some time with The Plainsman. People who know me know I have my roots as an advice columnist, so for my final letter, I am going to revisit those foundations. Here are five tips for making the most of your season: