Letter to the editor: Peaceful protesters
Frank Beierlotzer
June 24, 2020
This letter is to all peaceful protesters. I believe there are probably a few bad apples in every profession of work and area of our society. Please, just look around and see if you agree with me. The First Amendment of our Constitution allows the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition...
Animal shelters are the best place to adopt a pet
Summer Fitzgerald, Contributor
June 11, 2020
“Adopt, don’t shop” is a common slogan, but it holds a significant amount of meaning. This phrase is often thrown around on social media, posters and campaigns, but what is its true meaning? Approximately 3.3 million animals in U.S. shelters go unadopted each year, according to the American So...
Editorial: Our commitment to amplifying black voices
June 9, 2020
Editor’s note: There are currently no members of the Northern Star Editorial Board who are black. This, along with the fact that the majority of our staff is white, is evident of our organization being as much a part of the problem of racial inequality in our society as many other institutions. We wil...
Open ears, open eyes, closed mouths: The duties of white America after police brutality protests
James Krause, Contributor
June 1, 2020
Every time I visit my family in Georgia, we take the long and often tedious trip from Athens to Atlanta for a day to see the city. Every time, without fail, I’ll want to go to two places on Marietta Street: the CNN Center and the College Football Hall of Fame. Marietta Street gets thousands of pe...
Saying goodbye to something special
Sam Malone, Editor in Chief
May 6, 2020
As a little girl I dreamed of walking across a stage to receive my college degree, and nothing could have prepared me for this reality. The reality of a graduation without a ceremony — an accomplishment without smothering hugs from my family. But then again, nothing could have prepared me for the countless...
A message to graduating seniors
May 5, 2020
Hello seniors. We didn’t think it’d end this way, did we? You’re in your final week of your NIU career, and finals may be pretty low on your list of priorities. With graduation postponed until at least August, the realization that it is the end of your time here may not have hit you yet. But ...
President Freeman’s temporary powers are limited but still important
April 27, 2020
The abrupt disruption of life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many decisions that effect student life at NIU, including the Board of Trustees’ decision to grant NIU President Lisa Freeman expanded authority. The board’s decision was made during its March 19 meeting and will be reassessed...
Take Earth Day to reflect on how our actions affect the planet
Jordan Radloff, Opinion Editor
April 22, 2020
Wednesday marks the 50th year Earth Day is being celebrated in the U.S. since its creation in 1970. During the current health crisis, however, the holiday that celebrates the great outdoors of our planet will occur while people stay indoors during a global pandemic. There have been some improvements...
Donating blood provides much-needed resource for community
Sam Malone, Editor in Chief
April 1, 2020
A global pandemic could lead to a second local health crisis if residents don’t consider continuing or beginning to donate blood, as the world battles COVID-19. While residents are self-quarantining and adapting to social distancing as a result of coronavirus, Versiti Blood Center’s DeKalb locat...
Our community can remain positive despite pandemic crisis
March 24, 2020
The past few days and weeks have certainly been a difficult and confusing time for both our community and the world. Unexpected changes to daily life can cause unwanted stress and anxiety, and it is important to focus on self-care during a crisis such as our current situation. The COVID-19 pandemic has...
Letter to the editor: presidential election voter turnout
Sarah Beste, DeKalb Resident
March 23, 2020
Letters to the editor are the the author's opinion alone I would like to express my passion and concern for the voter turnout of NIU students in this year’s presidential election. Voting is one of the strongest powers we as citizens have, and I would like to encourage everyone in the NIU communit...
Be informed about the Democratic candidates before the Illinois primary
Jordan Radloff, Opinion Editor
March 5, 2020
The Illinois presidential primary election will be held March 17. All Illinois citizens should be prepared to vote by becoming familiar with the different Democratic candidates and their policies. Primary elections results in other states have begun to narrow down candidates, with Michael Bennet, Deval...
