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WWW.GUlLFORDlAN.COM
staff Editorial
Guilford rethinks
the meanings
of trash
In his Jan. 19 speech, activist and advocate
Van Jones explored how the ideas of social jus
tice and environmental justice are inextricably
connected and reliant on each other. It was a
fitting tribute not only to Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day, but also to Guilford's renewed sustain
ability efforts. Green at Guilford.
As it turns out, it is also sage advice to the
Guilford and Greensboro community cur
rently debating the reopening of the White
Street Landfill on the outskirts of northeast
Greensboro.
The landfill may not seem immediately
relevant to the Guilford community, but every
piece of waste we throw away contributes
to the trash and, by extension, the cost of
hauling that trash to a landfill out of town.
According to some, if the White Street Landfill
is reopened it will cost the city less money. It
will also go against the wishes of many resi
dents in the area.
Van Jones spoke about social inequali
ties stemming from environmental injus
tice because of the effects it has on different
populations based on class status and racial
inequality. Some members of the commu
nity feel that there would be no discussion
of opening the White Street Landfill if it was
located westward, in higher-income, histori
cally white neighborhoods.
Environmental and social injustice is not
just a problem outside of Guilford. Every
member of our community makes environ
mental decisions that not oitiy affect the Earth
but also the people living on it, and the
debate over the White Street Landfill is a good
example.
Guilford has now started placing "land
fill" signs on the trash cans around campus
as a w'ay to remind students where their
trash is going. It might not be a direct nod
i to the White Street Landfill debate, but it is
a reminder that our daily actions affect more
than just ourselves and our local environs.
Another way to remind the community of
waste impact is Recyclemania. Because of this,
the college has tried to find as many ways as
possible to use compostable and recyclable
options for waste management.
Environmental Sustainability Coordinator
Jim Dees said in a recent article, "When we're
not composting, one full dumpster weighed
six tons. When we are (composting), it weighs
1,800 pounds."
With the option to compost, all of the food
from the cafeteria is now recycled back into
the environment. Focusing on being green
may be more expensive at times, but it helps
the environment.
We also have a responsibility to be aware of
local issues that address the values our com
munity holds dear. The reopening of the White
Street Landfill is a complex social and political
issue that affects many in the Greensboro
community. As garbage-producing residents
of Greensboro, our stake in this is more than
personal. It's rooted in our awareness and
dedication to both environmental and social
justice.
FORUM
Finding a cure for Bieber Fever
Usher wasn't discovered until 1994 — at the age Bieber is now
— after being on "Star Search." His first album helped him onto
the scene, but he didn't achieve superstardom until years later.
Unlike Usher, Bieber had the happy help of the Internet to
make it big.
Wannabe pop stars are searchable on YouTube, and they either
become a pop-culture sensation or total jokes. Bieber's case is
obviously the former.
His YouTube page boasts millions of views, and his Facebook
page over 20 million fans, and both numbers are still climbing.
I'm happy to say that I am not one of the millions of girls who
have fallen prey to this Bieber Fever phenomenon.
By Laura Devinsky
Staff Writer
He currently stands at about 5 foot 7, with music that make
girls' hearts throb, and a mop of hair and smile that makes girls
swoon. Did I mention he's only 16 years old?
This teen heartthrob is better known as Justin Bieber. He is the
cause of the worldwide phenomenon known as Bieber Fever: an
obsession with his baby-face looks, soft eyes, girl-like voice, and
everything else about him.
Excuse me, ladies, can't you find a real man? Because I know
I can.
As popular as his music is, according to Billboard.com, none
of Bieber's songs have made it to number one, though his album
"My World 2.0" made it to number one on April 10, 2010.
I truly don't understand what makes girls love Bieber.
As the protege of Usher, he has.some big shoes to fill. At the
Grammys, the two collaborated in a performance that was rather
impressive, but Usher still stole the show with his dance moves.
Bieber is just another teen sensation, part of the trend towards
younger and younger performers trying to make it big.
Bieber collaborated with Jaden Smith on one of his most recent
songs, "Never Say Never." Smith is only 12 years old.
The biggest difference between Bieber and Smith is that Smith
had the stardom of his parents. Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, to
help him jump-start his career. Bieber relied on YouTube.
Bieber's upcoming documentary "Never Say Never and his
recently published memoir "First Step 2 Forever" are about his
journey to stardom in his short 16 years of existence. But really,
what is there to say? Perhaps the moment that changed his life
forever and brought him under the wing of Usher, and maybe
about the intense work that goes into producing a show, but
really, those are nothing.
Is this something that we are going to continue to see? Will the
industry continue showcase younger and younger entertainers?
Letter te the Edito
Dissatisfied student quesfions mandatory meal plan
I am a freshman here have experienced some prob
lems with the dining services here. 1 became a vegetar
ian at the end of September last year when the food was
great. However, the quality in the cafeteria declined
as the semester wore on and continues this semester.
Recently, I have been getting stomach aches and digestive
problems every time I eat at the cafeteria.
1 try to eat at the vegan station but they are not
open during the weekends. And many times there are
zero options available among the omnivore line, and if
there are any options they aren't published clearly.
Even the omnivores are having problems eating the
food at the Cafeteria.
With all of this in mind, I have been driven to the idea
of buying my own food and cooking it myself. But how
can I if I must have a meal plan? Why must I pay over a
thousand dollars for a meal plan that I will not use? Even
more so, why take off the lowest meal plan (15 meals a
semester)?
I heard that the reason for requiring a meal plan is
because Guilford needs the money from all students so
they can support the type of dining that students will
appreciate.
If that is so, why make it mandatory for all, instead
of asking the students to support the dining depart
ment with the future changes by voluntarily signing
up for plans from the college, and allowing students to
change their meal plans mid semester if they like the
food being served?
And why, of all places, are the meal plan changes at
the bottom of a page about additional housing infor
mation?
If this is an important issue, you would think that
there would be a blurb or a link at the top of Guilford's
main page.
Cayce Burch, first year