Voice - Main Editorial

Small actions make a great difference in the environment (11/30/07)

Staff Editorial

During fifth period on Oct. 31, a small group of students convened in the UAHS courtyard to celebrate the recent addition of a solar panel. The panel, which will provide approximately two percent of the school’s energy, is a positive alternative to burning fuel and other traditional energy sources.

Though enthusiasm buzzed throughout the small gathering, the school-wide reaction to the panel verged on apathy. Simple posters announcing the panel’s celebration easily blended in with layers of other notices and failed to spark much attention or attendance from students not involved in environmental science.

This lack of attendance may seem inconsequential, but it reflects a general sense of indifference at UAHS regarding environmental concerns. For the average student, everyday issues may often seem more pressing than the ozone’s eventual disintegration. However, though the physical evidence of global warming and other environmental issues is not readily apparent, problems of this nature should not be dismissed.

Becoming too focused on personal benefit without regard for possible consequences is unwise. While a few careless actions may seem harmless, we are collectively worsening the problem. As a result of global warming, drought, more wildfires and an imbalance in the ecosystem and the spread of disease may all occur.

Though the idea that “everyone can make a difference” may seem trite, its message rings true. Through small changes in behavior (reducing time spent in the shower, using fluorescent bulbs) the environment may slowly regain resilience.

The environmentalist movement has already gathered strong support locally as well as internationally; well-known organizations such as Greenpeace have long been lobbying for reform, and social networks such as Facebook have recently become home to groups and applications centered on the goal of improving the environment. Additionally, measures at UAHS and within the UA community have been taken to promote a healthier world through UAHS’ introduction of energy efficient structures, such as the solar panel. Finding a way to be involved is not difficult–every small action makes a difference.

 

Gay is OK (says J.K.) (11/30/07)

Column by Lara Bonner, '09

Did you hear that principal guy from Harry Potter is gay?”

Not the words you would expect to hear when you are getting your hair cut, but there I was, sitting awkwardly in a hair salon.

“WHAT?” I exclaimed loudly—so loudly, in fact, that several other customers swiveled around in their salon chairs to gape at me, open-mouthed.

I sheepishly turned back to my mirror, but after my hair was cut and dry, I raced home and locked myself in the darkened lair I like to call my bedroom. I donned my nerd glasses, and with a few frantic clicks, I reached my Internet home page (MuggleNet.com, naturally). There it was: our beloved wizard—Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore—is gay. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, was asked on her recent book tour about whether Dumbledore ever found love. And that is when it all came out (literally).

Apparently, Dumbledore was secretly in love with his childhood friend, Gellert Grindelwald. They met as adolescents and shared world-changing ideas. But with a name like “Gellert Grindelwald,” you don’t exactly imagine dandelions and butterflies. In the end, Grindelwald was just too evil for sweet Albus to handle. The tragic love story ended with the wizards dueling until Grindelwald was defeated.

The public has had mixed reactions to the news. Most people are shocked, but after the initial confusion, there has been both negative and positive feedback. Some think Rowling just sat down one day and decided, “Hm… Harry Potter is over. How can I create some additional controversy? Oh, I know! I’ll make Dumbledore gay!”

Gee, guys, maybe you’re right! Rowling must have loads of time on her hands. In between her world book tour and taking care of her three children, she must have time to come up with clever schemes such as this. Oh wait, no...

Additionally, some argue that sexuality should not be discussed in a children’s book, but I think if children can handle reading about main characters dying on every page, they can handle Rowling mentioning the “G” word.

I am among those who believe announcing Dumbledore’s homosexuality was a courageous act. Revealing that Dumbledore is gay is a step forward in showing the world that homosexuality is something to be accepted. Maybe fans who have read Harry Potter books for years but are against homosexuality will stop to think about the issue now that such a beloved character has “come out.” If you have come to love a character, and you discover they are not straight like you expected, does that really stop you from liking them? I would like to believe it doesn’t.

If even the wisest, greatest wizard to ever live can be gay, then maybe, just maybe, his sexual orientation doesn’t matter. Personally, I find it more offensive that Luna Lovegood is partial to radish earrings. But maybe that’s just me.

 

Upper Arlington Weather Forecast, OH