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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Jackson Shields

Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor

All content by Jackson Shields
Savanah Brandt, a junior communications major, responds to a street interview prompt. If you could receive any gift this holiday season, what would it be? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Holiday gifts

By Jackson Shields and Lucy Atkinson
December 8, 2024
A graphic shows several panels, each containing an image of alcohol, surrounding a question mark. Assistant Opinion Editor Jackson Shields believes that the normalization of alcohol in American society is a dangerous trend, reflecting on the effect its had on his own life. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

The alcohol question

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
December 8, 2024
A graphic shows three bubbles containing a house, a person working at a computer and a map marker, representing the first, second and third places respectively. Opinion Columnist Sofia Didenko believes that both the NIU campus and the surrounding DeKalb area could benefit from the incorporation of more third places: areas of relaxation and socialization. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] DeKalb needs more third-spaces

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist
November 21, 2024
A tax form and two arrows – one pointing up and the other pointing down – sit beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and above the topic of the week. Should taxes be lowered? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Taxes

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Lalita Rai
November 20, 2024
A graphic shows a turkey centered in the middle of various autumnal leaves. What's the best way to spend Thanksgiving break? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What is the best way to spend Thanksgiving break?

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist
November 19, 2024
A graphic shows money burning as an arrow, representing the United States' growing national debt, shoots upward. Opinion Columnist Ethan Ernst believes that the U.S.'s debt problem is a ticking time bomb with no simple solution. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] The national debt has no easy solution

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist
November 18, 2024
A manacle hangs in the center of a red portrait, blood splattering off of it. Assistant Opinion Editor Jackson Shields believes that America's continued use of punishments like penal labor and the death penalty is evidence of a bloodthirsty system. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

For America, justice means blood

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
November 14, 2024
Tamaya Duplechin, a senior business administration major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are you grateful for? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: What are you grateful for?

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
November 11, 2024
A graphic shows a man contemplating between two different sides: one filled with images of books and tests, the other with football and partying. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that homecoming's placement in late fall semester presents unnecessary conflicts in a college student's life. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] Homecoming’s timing should change

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
November 10, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris smiles during her concession speech Wednesday at Howard University in Washington. Assistant Opinion Editor Jackson Shields encourages Harris supporters to hold onto hope and continue the fight, echoing Harris' concession speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump wins, America bleeds

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
November 6, 2024
A graphic depicts a circle broken into two halves – one containing the Republican elephant, the other containing the Democratic donkey – as it explodes from within. Opinion columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that America's two-party system should be broken up in favor of a flexible multi-party one. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] Third parties deserve more voice in US

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
November 5, 2024
The silhouettes of four U.S. electors and a graph meant to represent the popular vote are separated by a versus symbol beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and the topic of the week. Is the Electoral College or popular vote the better system? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Electoral College versus popular vote

By Olivia Zapf and Jackson Shields
October 31, 2024
Olivia King, a junior marketing major, responds to a street interviews prompt. In three words, how are you feeling about the presidential election next week? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: 2024 election

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
October 28, 2024
A couple of autumnal leaves and a branch carrying a bird sit beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and above the topic of the week. Is spring or fall semester best? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] Look Both Ways: Spring versus fall semester

By Ethan Ernst and Sofia Didenko
October 16, 2024
Five segments display different popular board games, including checkers, chess, Clue, the Game of Life and backgammon. What is your favorite classic board game? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] Poll: What’s the best classic board game?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist
October 15, 2024
A cartoon imagining of a hurricane looks angrily at a worried Earth. Hurricanes Helene and Milton made landfall in Florida within only two weeks of each other, devastating the Southeastern United States. (Aidan Renteria | Northern Star)

The world needs climate action immediately

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
October 14, 2024
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is tackled in a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Assistant Opinion Editor Jackson Shields believes the NFL's prioritization of style over safety traps its athletes in a dangerous lifestyle that mimics the Roman gladiators. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The NFL wants gladiators

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
October 10, 2024
A medical professional consults a patient while arrows point to cartoons of a heart, medicine and a thermometer. Opinion Columnist Sofia Didenko encourages students to get a checkup in order to prevent the spread of sickness come this winter season. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

[Photo] Get a checkup this sniffly season

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist
October 9, 2024
An alien head, a ringed planet and a trio of stars sit beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and above the topic of the week. Does life exist out in deep space? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Life in Space

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti and Jackson Shields
October 7, 2024
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures with his hand while speaking at a campaign event Sunday in Erie, Pennsylvania. At the event, Trump proposed allowing police “one really violent day” to address crime. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Conservative rhetoric incites hatred

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
October 2, 2024
Five segments display different symbols for a variety of fiction genres, including: fantasy, mystery, horror, sci-fi and romance. What is your favorite genre of fiction? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What genre of fiction is your favorite?

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 29, 2024
"Faulkner Studies," volumes one through three, sits on a bookshelf near other famous literary works in the reference section of the Founder's Memorial Library. Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields encourages the consumption of challenging art to promote deeper thinking. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Try art that challenges your thinking

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 26, 2024
A sketching hand and clapperboard are shown inside a TV beneath the word “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week: Animation versus live-action TV. Is animated or live-action TV more engaging for viewers? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Animation versus live action

By Jackson Shields and Sofia Didenko
September 23, 2024
A figure stares at a computer screen in the dark while images of the same person are posted to their wall. Becoming so obsessed with a celebrity to the point of excusing problematic behavior is a problematic norm on its own, Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields argues. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

We just want to dance

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 18, 2024
Cash and a credit card are separated by a “versus” symbol beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Should society go cashless? Credit cards may be much more environmentally friendly, but cash has greater security against cybercrimes. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Should society go cashless?

By Jackson Shields and Sofia Didenko
September 16, 2024
An eye peers out beyond chaotic gray and brown scribbles. Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields views his anxiety as a myopic - or near-sighted - enemy that aims to keep him from meaningful experiences. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

My myopic self and I

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 10, 2024
A speaker wearing blue talks at a podium with a smile while images of a figure surrounded by destruction and fire are visible over her shoulder. Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields believes the conflict in Gaza deserved greater attention from the Democratic National Convention last month. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Silence isn’t an option, Democrats

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 9, 2024
Box fans line the windows in Neptune West, one of the residence halls without air conditioning. How do you manage the sweltering heat on campus? (Lucy Atkinson| Northern Star)

Poll: What’s the best way to spend a hot day?

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor
September 2, 2024
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